Chemistry International

Air quality assessment is frequently driven by the need to determine whether a standard or guideline has been exceeded, but it should also provide the information needed to estimate population exposure to air pollution and the effects on the health of the population. Most air quality monitoring systems do not fully address population exposure to toxic air pollution. Health impact assessment combines estimates of population exposure with information on toxicity. Given the importance of the availability of valid information on population exposure to air pollutants, the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health organized a working group to define the features of monitoring networks that allow their use in assessing the potential exposure of the population to air pollution from ambient air. This work resulted in this book. The principles outlined are intended to promote progressive modification of the networks monitoring air quality to improve their usefulness for health impact assessment.

This book is directed specifically to network managers, to those who design new networks or modify existing ones, to policymakers, and to those who influence policy.