Today, the first World Environmental Health Day held by the institute will target the Northern Ireland Executive and the public in a bid to reduce pollution problems here.
Emissions from road traffic will be a particular issue focused on, with children living near busy roads showing an increased risk of respiratory illnesses including asthma, according to a study conducted by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.
Speaking about the awareness day Gary McFarlane, director of CIEH Northern Ireland, said:
"We want to highlight the negative impact poor air quality can have on our societies well being, particularly in the cases of children and people with respiratory ill-health."Mr McFarlane said the Executive needed to show real leadership and introduce programes that will help ease the problem of pollution.
He continued:
"We also need to consider new and innovative ways of reducing the need to travel in the first place, including radically improving the potential for home-working through the use of modern technology."
Comment: It is obvious according to the following articles listed below that air pollution is shortening the lives of humans and contributes to many different illnesses:
Air Pollution Leads to Breast Cancer
Pollution Linked to High Blood Pressure
Air Pollution Linked to Lung Cancer
Air pollution linked to early form of dementia
Diabetes Risk Tied to Air Pollution
Pollution Can Lead to Brain Damage and Depression Warn Scientists
New research shows associations between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and the onset of allergic diseases in children
Evidence Growing of Air Pollution's Link to Heart Disease, Death
Air Pollution May Increase Risk Of Appendicitis