Sectors of interventions
Agriculture
Agriculture embraces several types of activities, from crop production to raising animals for food in farms. Agriculture is the predominant source of anthropogenic methane emissions (through the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter) globally and it is also a relevant source of air pollution in many regions of the world through the burning of agricultural waste as farmers around the world burn crop residues to clear land and fertilize the soil. The air pollution generated by agriculture activities has impacts on populations in many regions, not only in suburban and rural areas, and on the ecosystems. Agriculture is the dominant source of air pollutants emissions in some areas of Northern Africa, South Asia, Australia, and South America. More details here.
WHO suggested interventions include:
- reducing the burning of agricultural fields;
- improving the management of agricultural waste and livestock manure, including the capture of methane gas emitted from waste sites as an alternative to incineration;
- considering the co-benefits of promoting healthy diets low in red and processed meat and rich in plant-based foods, in fact, reducing the consumption of animal-sourced foods (particularly red meat and processed meat) in favour of healthier plant-based alternatives has the potential to both reduce methane emissions associated with livestock production and improve population health.
There is still an urban/rural disparity in air quality monitoring that in some cases prevents detailed analysis of exposure and health outcomes of vulnerable communities. In any case, it is appropriate to promote policies to modify the agricultural production system and food consumption patterns that affect air pollution levels.
Cities and regions have a prominent role as part of the solution as their actions can reduce both air pollution and short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon and ozone through a range of measures that benefit health very immediately and climate in the near term. Citywide solutions and detailed case studies can be found in BreatheLife Campaign.
Industry
In many areas of the world air pollution arises from industrial activities such as power generation, chemicals, food, metal production, extractive industry, and oil refineries. Industrial sources are stationary and due to the wide variety of production processes, air cleaning filters, and fuel consumption they emit complex mixtures and quantities of air pollutants and toxic substances. In many regions of the world such as they are the main source of air pollution. Industrial activities are also major sources of climate change pollutants. Fossil fuel extraction and distribution are sources of methane. Several industrial processes, such as brick production and the use of coke ovens, emit large amounts of black carbon. Technological interventions exist that can substantially reduce emissions from industries.
WHO suggested interventions include:
- policy interventions that account for spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of air pollutants industrial emissions could result in more effective environmental regulation;
- abatement measures to reduce emissions, enforcing standards and regulations;
- adopting clean technologies that reduce industrial smokestack emissions;
- for example, by improving brick kilns and coke ovens (which emit large amounts of black carbon);
- increased recovery and use of gas released during fossil fuel production;
- control of fugitive emissions from the fossil fuel industry.
Technologies reducing emissions from polluting industrial activities can reduce high levels of human exposure to particulate matter from these sources for workers and communities near these industries, providing an important health-enabling opportunity also for climate change mitigation.
Power generation
- transitioning away from fossil fuel combustion (oil, coal) for large-scale energy production, as well as diesel generators for small-scale production;
- increasing the use of low-emissions fuels and renewable combustion-free power sources (like solar, wind, or hydropower);
- increasing reliance on the co-generation heat and power and distributed energy generation (e.g. mini-grids and rooftop solar power generation).
Waste
Solid waste management differs significantly according to the way waste is disposed and treated. In many places, open burning is an issue, and untreated waste put in dumpsites or landfills, waste incineration. Emissions from waste can be a significant source of air pollution in many cities and villages. Health care waste is usually dealt with outside the waste management sector because of its peculiarities.
WHO suggested interventions include:
- promoting waste reduction, waste separation, recycling and reuse or waste reprocessing;
- stop uncontrolled waste burning;
- improving methods of biological waste management to provide alternatives to the open incineration of solid waste.
The potential benefits of reductions in health effects thanks to proper waste management are many. The minimization of waste production, re-use, and recycling of waste are critical components of a circular economy that can foster health and well-being. More details here.