Implications for the science of air pollution and health

The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health1 is a landmark in the history of attempts to improve health by reducing exposure to harmful environmental pollution, nearly all of which is created by human activity. This report aims “to raise global awareness of pollution, end neglect of pollution-related disease, and mobilise resources and the political will needed to effectively confront pollution”. The first section of the report describes the health burden attributable to three types of environmental pollution: water pollution, air pollution and soil, heavy metal and chemical pollution, the latter including occupational pollutants.