Air Quality Guidelines Global Update 2005 - World Health ...

APPLICATION OF GUIDELINES IN POLICY FORMULATION
In addition to a comprehensive emissions control programme designed to reduce
average pollution levels and meet air quality standards, short-term actions
or contingency plans may be applied when pollution episodes occur. Contingency
plans should be designed to protect sensitive populations from pollution
episodes by including actions to reduce exposures (e.g. avoiding outdoor activities)
or rapidly curb emissions (e.g. by reducing vehicular or industrial activity).
These measures are not to be confused with long-term goals to reduce overall
emissions, improve air quality and reduce population exposures and their associated
potential health effects by compliance with air quality standards.
Risk communication
Finally, the proper communication of risks and regulations is a necessary component
of air quality management and standards implementation. Communication
to all potential stakeholders (including decision-makers, industrial groups,
the media and the general public) on issues such as emission sources, ambient
pollution levels, population exposures, potential health effects, compliance with
standards and control options is fundamental in achieving sound environmental
management. Public opinion can be an important factor in influencing decisions,
as the political capability of decision-makers is directly proportional to the interests
and concerns of their constituents. Research has found that resources will
often be directed to where the public perceives risks to be large, whether or not
they represent the most serious hazards to society (14). When people understand
the importance of air quality, they can demand action and be more receptive in
complying with control measures. It is therefore in the interest of environmental
and health authorities to ensure that the public is informed and educated about
air pollution levels, sources, health impacts and possible solutions.
Maintaining an active communication strategy throughout the whole air quality
management process may also help prevent crises, conciliate interests, provide
advance notice for the implementation of control measures and inform stakeholders
on compliance status. For these reasons, the development of communications
tools that are understandable and accessible to the public is an important
part of air quality management.
People should be informed as to how their city/region/country is doing in
terms of air quality, and what that means for their health. The use of air quality
indices, such as the Metropolitan Air Quality Index used in Mexico City (24) or
the Air Quality Index in the United States (25), are useful communication tools
in translating technical air pollution information into information that the public
can understand and use. Providing this information can help prevent acute
exposures and symptoms by warning the public about high pollution levels and
suggesting simple actions that can be taken to prevent exposure.
Frequent or even occasional application of contingency measures can maintain
population awareness and highlight the seriousness of air pollution problems by
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