Air pollution, health, and human rights

The activities of human beings contaminate the air with toxic pollutants. Air pollution has both short-term and long-term adverse effects, and contributes to non-communicable diseases.¹ The Forum of International Respiratory Societies² note that “breathing unhealthy air is a cause or contributor to most respiratory conditions”. Globally, greenhouse gas pollution has contributed to climate change, which has serious direct and indirect consequences for human and environmental health.