Recent research provides critical insights into the impact of air pollution and high ambient temperatures on the health of Belgian citizens, emphasizing the need for long-lasting and effective measures to reduce air pollution in Belgium.
In Belgium, air pollution from road traffic is a major environmental health risk. It consists of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, fine particulate matter, and benzene, all of which are known to cause serious health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as premature mortality. Although significant efforts have already been made to reduce air pollution levels in Belgium, a considerable portion of the population is still exposed to harmful concentrations of air pollutants. Addressing air pollution in Belgium remains a crucial public health challenge that requires urgent attention and coordinated efforts. The good news is that numerous measures exist to reduce traffic-related air pollution, and their effectiveness has already been demonstrated: low emission zones, active mobility initiatives promoting cycling and walking, pedestrian zones, school streets, and more.
A study conducted by Sciensano (BELAIR-POL project), demonstrates that implementing traffic-related air pollution measures in Belgium could significantly decrease the prevalence of stroke among the Belgian population and protect the health of Belgian citizens. Reducing exposure to traffic-related air pollutants also has a major impact on respiratory health, particularly by decreasing the incidence of asthma, especially in children.
Road traffic also contributes approximately 20% to greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, which play a major role in global warming and climate change. High ambient temperatures have severe effects on public health and are associated with excess mortality in the Belgian population, as demonstrated by a study conducted by Sciensano (HEASP project). This study also found that air pollution can exacerbate the short-term effects of temperature on mortality. This research is taken further in an ongoing project carried out by Sciensano and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) to evaluate, for the first time in Belgium, climate change-related excess mortality attributed to temperature.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects of both air pollution and high ambient temperatures. Dr. Cosemans, researcher of a pilot study conducted at Hasselt University, as part of the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, states: “Our findings reveal that soot particles, a significant component of air pollution, can be transmitted to infants through breast milk. The impact of this oral exposure on children’s health needs further investigation. Air pollution exposure via inhalation has already been linked with adverse health outcomes during pregnancy and early life. Findings from a previous study suggest that prenatal exposure to PM may impact neurobehavioural development in newborns and preschool children”.
Sciensano has just published a report, listing all the measures that can contribute to reducing traffic-related air pollution in Belgium. By adopting such measures, we can effectively improve ambient air quality, safeguard public health and contribute to the global fight against climate change.
Supported by the Orcadia Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation
The BELAIR-POL project, along with studies on climate change-related excess mortality and postnatal exposure to soot particles, are supported by the Orcadia Fund.
This fund is created and financed by Orcadia Asset Management and managed by the King Baudouin Foundation. It was set up with the objective of supporting applied research projects designed to examine interactions between health and the environment.
Contact
- Sciensano : press@sciensano.be ou +32 2 642 54 20
- Universiteit Hasselt : Charlotte Cosemans, charlotte.cosemans@uhasselt.be
- VUB : Mariska Bauwelinck, mariska.bauwelinck@vub.be