Wright, CYDiab, R2011-01-242011-01-242011-01Wright, CY and Diab, R. 2011. Air pollution and vulnerability: solving the puzzle of prioritization. Journal of Environmental Health (Online), pp 1-180022-0892http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4792Copyright: 2011 National Environmental Health Association. This is the post print version of the article. The definitive version is published online on the Journal of Environmental HealthWhile ambient air pollution levels in excess of prescribed health standards are generally unacceptable, the exceedance is even more serious in areas where people reside. Vulnerability caused by poverty, disease, lack of education and poor living conditions exacerbates the problem. Air quality management plans identify prioritized strategies for improved air quality independent of consideration of vulnerability. A population exposure and vulnerability risk prioritization framework comprising five themes (air pollution sources and levels; air pollution potential; community awareness, observations, perceptions and actions; and vulnerability factors) was proposed and applied to the eThekwini Municipality (Durban). Data were scored according to pre-determined risk threshold values to ascertain at-risk communities. While those urban wards located in a known air pollution hotspot had the highest air pollution levels, a periurban ward with moderate exposure levels was most vulnerable. This framework will prove invaluable for the development of focussed interventions to reduce vulnerability and air pollution associated adverse health impacts.enAir pollutionAir quality managementVulnerable communitiesEnvironmental healthDemographic aspectsAir pollution controlAir quality managementArticleWright, C., & Diab, R. (2011). Air pollution and vulnerability: solving the puzzle of prioritization. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4792Wright, CY, and R Diab "Air pollution and vulnerability: solving the puzzle of prioritization." (2011) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4792Wright C, Diab R. Air pollution and vulnerability: solving the puzzle of prioritization. 2011; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4792.TY - Article AU - Wright, CY AU - Diab, R AB - While ambient air pollution levels in excess of prescribed health standards are generally unacceptable, the exceedance is even more serious in areas where people reside. Vulnerability caused by poverty, disease, lack of education and poor living conditions exacerbates the problem. Air quality management plans identify prioritized strategies for improved air quality independent of consideration of vulnerability. A population exposure and vulnerability risk prioritization framework comprising five themes (air pollution sources and levels; air pollution potential; community awareness, observations, perceptions and actions; and vulnerability factors) was proposed and applied to the eThekwini Municipality (Durban). Data were scored according to pre-determined risk threshold values to ascertain at-risk communities. While those urban wards located in a known air pollution hotspot had the highest air pollution levels, a periurban ward with moderate exposure levels was most vulnerable. This framework will prove invaluable for the development of focussed interventions to reduce vulnerability and air pollution associated adverse health impacts. DA - 2011-01 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Air pollution KW - Air quality management KW - Vulnerable communities KW - Environmental health KW - Demographic aspects KW - Air pollution control KW - Air quality management LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2011 SM - 0022-0892 T1 - Air pollution and vulnerability: solving the puzzle of prioritization TI - Air pollution and vulnerability: solving the puzzle of prioritization UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4792 ER -