Tracking air-related health should be an integrated part of air quality management in South Africa

Abstract

Health surveillance is presently not an integrated part of air quality management in South Africa, although ambient air pollution standards are derived from epidemiological studies of personal exposure. A growing number of studies have shown that the largest burden of air pollution related diseases is on developing countries where air pollution levels are also among the highest in the world. Air pollution may cause symptoms ranging from eyes, nose and throat irritation, exacerbation of asthma and reduced lung function to cardiovascular symptoms such as high blood pressure and lung cancer. There is also a statistically-significant association between air pollution and mortality (death) from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. To ascertain the impact of implemented interventions beyond ambient air pollution reductions, indicators need to be identified and appropriate health data need to be routinely collected and made available to air quality officers (AQOs) and environmental health practitioners (EHPs). A discussion document describing such issues was compiled and distributed by the CSIR to all AQOs and EHPs in South Africa to gather their thoughts and comments, particularly with respect to practicability, implementation and uptake of proposed ideas and initiatives. Here, results from the survey are discussed and using Tshwane as a case study, one proposed indicator is demonstrated