Ulaanbaatar, Mar 3: The World Health Organization (WHO) released a set of long- medium- and
short-term recommendations for the Government of Mongolia to tackle air
pollution.
Air pollution causes more than 4,000 deaths
every year in this Central Asian lower-middle income country with a population
of three million. WHO is urging the Government to keep air pollution as a top
priority for policies and implementation throughout the year, a WHO release on Sunday said.
Air pollution takes many forms. The most harmful for health is fine particulate matter (PM2.5). It is a major cause of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
In 2012, one out of nine deaths in Mongolia was the result of air pollution-related diseases. More than half of child deaths from pneumonia in Mongolia are due to indoor air pollution. In Mongolia, indoor and outdoor air pollution account for 132 deaths per 100, 000 people per year, whereas the global average is 92 deaths per 100, 000 people.
Data from the Mongolian National Agency for Meteorology and Environment Monitoring indicate that air quality in Ulaanbaatar improved from 2011 to 2015. However, the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 in the air in Ulaanbaatar remains 6-10 times higher than the level considered safe by WHO air quality guidelines.
During the winter months (from November to March) the mean concentration of particulate matter is 8-14 times higher than the WHO guideline values.
“Air pollution has become one of the most challenging issues in Mongolia. WHO is pleased to see the Government’s efforts to identify comprehensive solutions to the air pollution situation in Ulaanbaatar, which will be vital for people’s health”, said Dr Sergey Diorditsa, the acting WHO Representative in Mongolia.
Half of the people in Mongolia’s capital live in traditional felt dwellings called 'Gers.' They heat them in the long winter months by burning raw coal. This is the main source of Mongolia’s air pollution, accounting for 80 per cent of air pollution in the country from November to April. WHO recommends switching to efficient, renewable and clean energy options both at production and consumption levels.
In the short term, WHO recommends the introduction of a ban on burning plastic, tires, and vinyl and other waste as fuel and calls for creating sustainable support schemes to help low-income groups adopt affordable cleaner technology.
In addition, WHO recommends improving indoor air quality by banning smoking indoors, improving ventilation in Gers and other homes, and controlling the overuse of burning solid fuels while using better insulation to reduce the need for heating.
At the same time, WHO highlights the need to increase public awareness of the need to substitute solid fuel with processed, then clean fuels.
Around 10 per cent of Mongolia’s air pollution comes from motor vehicle traffic in Ulaanbaatar. To combat this, WHO advises implementing measures to prevent traffic congestion and reduce the need for motorized transport. These include creating green areas and re-locating offices and commercial spaces to places that are convenient for pedestrians and cyclists. Integrating environmental and health considerations in urban planning requires long-term multi-sectoral coordination.
As a medium-term intervention, WHO recommends more stringent national standards for outdoor air quality to reduce air pollution concentrations to those recommended by WHO’s Air Quality Guidelines.
Concrete steps advised by WHO include introducing better solid waste management, paving roads in the Ger areas of the capital, and joining the WHO and UN Environment-led BreatheLife campaign to increase public awareness and action on air pollution. UNI
Air pollution takes many forms. The most harmful for health is fine particulate matter (PM2.5). It is a major cause of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
In 2012, one out of nine deaths in Mongolia was the result of air pollution-related diseases. More than half of child deaths from pneumonia in Mongolia are due to indoor air pollution. In Mongolia, indoor and outdoor air pollution account for 132 deaths per 100, 000 people per year, whereas the global average is 92 deaths per 100, 000 people.
Data from the Mongolian National Agency for Meteorology and Environment Monitoring indicate that air quality in Ulaanbaatar improved from 2011 to 2015. However, the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 in the air in Ulaanbaatar remains 6-10 times higher than the level considered safe by WHO air quality guidelines.
During the winter months (from November to March) the mean concentration of particulate matter is 8-14 times higher than the WHO guideline values.
“Air pollution has become one of the most challenging issues in Mongolia. WHO is pleased to see the Government’s efforts to identify comprehensive solutions to the air pollution situation in Ulaanbaatar, which will be vital for people’s health”, said Dr Sergey Diorditsa, the acting WHO Representative in Mongolia.
Half of the people in Mongolia’s capital live in traditional felt dwellings called 'Gers.' They heat them in the long winter months by burning raw coal. This is the main source of Mongolia’s air pollution, accounting for 80 per cent of air pollution in the country from November to April. WHO recommends switching to efficient, renewable and clean energy options both at production and consumption levels.
In the short term, WHO recommends the introduction of a ban on burning plastic, tires, and vinyl and other waste as fuel and calls for creating sustainable support schemes to help low-income groups adopt affordable cleaner technology.
In addition, WHO recommends improving indoor air quality by banning smoking indoors, improving ventilation in Gers and other homes, and controlling the overuse of burning solid fuels while using better insulation to reduce the need for heating.
At the same time, WHO highlights the need to increase public awareness of the need to substitute solid fuel with processed, then clean fuels.
Around 10 per cent of Mongolia’s air pollution comes from motor vehicle traffic in Ulaanbaatar. To combat this, WHO advises implementing measures to prevent traffic congestion and reduce the need for motorized transport. These include creating green areas and re-locating offices and commercial spaces to places that are convenient for pedestrians and cyclists. Integrating environmental and health considerations in urban planning requires long-term multi-sectoral coordination.
As a medium-term intervention, WHO recommends more stringent national standards for outdoor air quality to reduce air pollution concentrations to those recommended by WHO’s Air Quality Guidelines.
Concrete steps advised by WHO include introducing better solid waste management, paving roads in the Ger areas of the capital, and joining the WHO and UN Environment-led BreatheLife campaign to increase public awareness and action on air pollution. UNI
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