Monitoring Air Quality in Low-Income and Lower Middle-Income Countries - Summary

Abstract

This summary is based on a rapid review that surveyed academic and grey literature on air quality monitoring in low-income (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Air pollution is a global environmental health threat, contributing to an estimated 3-7 million deaths per year (Lelieveld, Evans, Fnais, Giannadaki, & Pozzer, 2015; WHO, 2014). Whilst various types of air pollution exist, particulate matter air pollution contributes most to the global burden of disease. The effects of air pollution on health are documented in a range of epidemiological studies. The economic cost is also significant. The World Bank estimates that globally in 2013, air pollution led to USD 5.11 trillion in welfare losses, and USD 225 billion in lost labour income (World Bank & IHME, 2016).