Open AccessAir pollution and population health
Author(s) -
Miroslava Kristoforović-Ilić,
Miroslav Ilić
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.135
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 2406-0895
pISSN - 0370-8179
DOI - 10.2298/sarh06s2145k
Subject(s) - environmental health , medicine , air pollution , population , air quality index , pollution , resource (disambiguation) , environmental planning , quality (philosophy) , environmental pollution , environmental protection , risk analysis (engineering) , geography , ecology , computer network , philosophy , chemistry , organic chemistry , epistemology , meteorology , computer science , biology
In the last few decades, there has been increased population concern for quality of environment, for it is, after life style, the second risk factor of disease development. Particular problem is that a large majority of serious impairments of health is manifested only after a long latent period, so it is not always possible to establish clear association with environmental factors. It is considered today that around 40% of lethal cases are caused by polluted environment in various ways, while environment is the most important etiologic factor in 5% of disease incidence. Problems arising due to environment pollution are most frequently related to air pollution. The World Resource Institute, Washington, has developed the indicators for evaluation of risk of environment pollution to population health. There is one common indicator both for developed and developing countries - air pollution. EPA recommended new standards for some polluting substances. The document reviewed these standards and their implementation in our community. New Law on Environment Protection (?Official Gazette of RS? No. 135/2004) from December 20th, 2004, followed by relevant documents on air quality, should be beneficial to experts at the level of subtle diagnostics and proposal of adequate measures with a view to improve the quality of life.