Feature: Covid-19 pandemic raises new questions about the health impacts of air pollution

News

Posted on Thursday 23 April 2020

Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, SEI conducted a group question-and-answer session to discuss known and emerging issues about air pollution. Senior Research Fellow Chris Malley, Research Leader Johan C.I. Kuylenstierna, and Acting Africa Centre Director Philip Osano answered questions posed by Communications Officer Karen Brandon.

Empty Plaza del Zócalo in Mexico City during lockdown. Photo: Hector Vivas / Getty Images.

The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a spotlight on the risks to human health posed by air pollution. Though scientists are investigating possible connections between exposure to air pollution and vulnerability to the Covid-19 virus, an extensive body of work has already established that air pollution harms human health in myriad ways.

SEI’s work on the air pollution agenda is twofold. SEI researchers have worked to expand understanding of air pollution’s negative impacts on human health and well-being. In addition, SEI has sought to help countries find and wield policy levers that can simultaneously reduce air pollution at local and regional levels, and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change at the global level.

“A large body of evidence from almost all corners of the world demonstrates that it is possible to improve air quality and human health without compromising economic growth.”