Level 2 - Details on Air Pollution

• 1. What is Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)?
• 2. How does Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) affect human health?
  • 2.1 Which effects can be expected of long-term exposure to levels of NO₂ observed currently in Europe?
  • 2.2 Is NO₂ per se responsible for effects on health?
  • 2.3 Are health effects of NO₂ influenced by the presence of other air pollutants?
  • 2.4 Which characteristics of individuals may influence how Nitrogen Dioxide affects their health?
  • 2.5 Is there a threshold below which nobody’s health is affected by NO₂?
• 3. How are we exposed to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)?
  • 3.1 Which are the critical sources of NO₂ responsible for health effects?
  • 3.2 What is the relationship between ambient levels and personal exposure to NO₂?
  • 3.3 What is the health relevance and importance of short-term exposure to high peak levels or exposure in hot spots for NO₂?
• 4. Should current NO₂ guidelines be reconsidered?
  • 4.1 Have positive impacts on public health of reductions of emissions and/or ambient concentrations of NO₂ been shown?
  • 4.2 What averaging period (time pattern) is most relevant from the point of view of protecting human health?
  • 4.3 Is there new scientific evidence to justify reconsideration of the current WHO Guidelines for NO₂?
• 5. What are the uncertainties regarding this study?
  • 5.1 Uncertainties of the WHO answers, guidelines, and risk assessments
  • 5.2 Consideration of publication bias in the review
  • 5.3 Consistency of epidemiological and toxicological evidence in defining thresholds
  • 5.4 Contribution of different sources to PM-related health effects
  • 5.5 Impact of methods of analysis used in epidemiological studies
  • 5.6 Possible regional characteristics modifying the effects of air pollution
• 6. Are certain population groups particularly vulnerable?
• 7. General Conclusions
  • 7.1 Recommendations
  • 7.2 What other aspects of air pollution are important to address in the development of air pollution policy in Europe?
  • 7.3 Concluding remarks