The Health Impact of Air Pollution: Mechanisms, Consequences and the Need to Mitigate Its Adverse Effects

The scientific conference The Health Impact of Air Pollution: Mechanisms, Consequences and the Need to Mitigate Its Adverse Effects, organised by the Department of Medical Sciences of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, will be held on Wednesday, 4 November, at 9 a.m. in the SASA Grand Hall.

The reason behind the organisation of this scientific conference lies in the fact that air quality is a leading variable in assessing risks to human health. The reduction in life expectancy attributable to air pollution is comparable to that associated with smoking, while in populations affected by high values of pollution over prolonged periods, the associated health risks may exceed those of smoking. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world’s population breathes air containing pollutants at concentrations above recommended levels. This situation contributes to a global increase in mortality. The WHO estimates that air pollution alone is responsible for 6.6 million deaths annually.

Through four thematic sessions, the scientific conference will address both the medical and public health aspects of air quality protection and improvement. It will start with an overview of epidemiological data and assessment of health risks at both the global and national levels, and it will analyse disorders and diseases affecting various organ systems caused by air pollution, including potential approaches to mitigating the problem. Based on these findings, the conference will offer the possibility for  a critical discussion on public policies, institutional roles and responsibilities, and the path that should be taken in order to reduce adverse effects of air pollution on human health.