Strengthening air quality standards to protect human health: an overview of the Western Pacific Region

Overview

This report, Strengthening Air Quality Standards to Protect Human Health: An overview of the Western Pacific Region, provides a comprehensive review of ambient air quality standards across countries and areas of the WHO Western Pacific Region and assesses their alignment with the WHO global air quality guidelines. The publication analyses the national requirements set for major air pollutants, including particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, and assesses the potential public health benefits of achieving WHO-recommended health-based guideline levels.

This is the first consolidated regional overview of air quality standards alongside modelled estimates of avoidable mortality associated with reductions in fine particulate matter exposure. It emphasizes the urgent need to close the gap between current regulatory standards and the levels required to protect public health, and outlines actions to support cleaner air, healthier populations and climate resilience.

The report also serves as a reference resource for policy-makers, public health authorities, researchers, and civil society working to advance evidence-informed air quality management and reduce the health burden associated with air pollution.