Strategies for clean air and health

Conference statement

A conference statement was prepared to provide guidance from the perspective of an international group of scientists, regulators, industries, and interest groups on a path forward to improve the interface between science and clean air policy strategies to protect public health. The statement represents the main findings of two breakout group discussion sessions, supported by perspectives of keynote speakers from North America and Europe on science-policy integration and views of the delegates expressed in plenary discussions. NERAM undertook a carefully considered process to try to ensure that the statement would accurately reflect the conference discussions, including documentation of supporting comments from the proceedings and inviting delegates' comments on two draft versions of the statement.

Statement summary

1. Air pollution is an important local, national, and global public health concern.
2. Implement further clean air policies based on current scientific knowledge.
3. Initiate innovative research approaches to support air quality policy development.
4. Improve communication among scientists, policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
5. Use exposure and health impact assessments to assess benefits of implemented and future regulations and to develop interventions.
6. Initiate international forum for evaluation of principles for action and integration of air quality evidence for policy.