Resilient healthcare | Green recovery

Cleaner air can mitigate the effects of respiratory diseases like Covid-19

10/12/2020 PNG

Chronic exposure to polluted air increases the vulnerability of individuals and communities to pandemics such as Covid-19, which can cause respiratory diseases.

Despite some progress since 2011 in OECD countries, exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) remains too high. Two out of three countries exceed the WHO guideline of 10 micrograms per cubic metre, a value which is still associated with elevated level of risk.

While the pandemic has temporarily reduced air pollution, we must not return to those unsustainable levels.

See: Environmental health and strengthening resilience to pandemics

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