Traffic-Related Air Pollution
The problem
Urbanization is increasing exposure to air pollution in many parts of the world. Traffic-related air pollution — from exhaust, brake dust and tyre wear—is a major contributor to poor air quality, especially in urban hot spots. Parts of Latin America, Asia and Africa, and some high-income regions, are most affected. About 7,200 cities in 123 countries are monitoring air quality for regulatory purposes (collected in the WHO Ambient Air Quality database), and only about 1 per cent of these cities in LMICs meet the WHO AQG for particulate matter. Thus, children in cities in LMICs are 23 times more likely than those in high-income countries to live in areas that do not meet air quality standards.
Children are particularly exposed to traffic-related air pollution because they are shorter and closer to car exhaust pipes and spend time in places like schools or playgrounds near busy roads. The health impacts are severe from exposure to traffic-related pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ultrafine particles, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Traffic pollution can trigger and worsen asthma — the most common chronic childhood disease—stunt lung growth, and is linked to neurodevelopmental delays, obesity, and leukemia. Long-term exposure increases the risks of cancer and heart disease later in life.
Emissions from transportation fuel smog, climate change, and poor air quality — and with global vehicle numbers set to triple or quadruple in the coming decades, especially in low- and middle-income countries, urgent investment in clean transport and public transit is critical to protect children’s health.
4 million
children develop asthma annually from breathing nitrogen dioxide, which primarily comes from vehicle exhaust – this is around 13% of all new pediatric asthma cases worldwide.
Malta faces significant environmental challenges due to overpopulation, constant urban development, and heavy car traffic. The high number of construction sites contributes to widespread dust and air pollution, while vehicle emissions further worsen air quality. According to the European Environment Agency, over 1,200 children and adolescents in Europe die prematurely each year due to air pollution-related conditions.
Krysta Cutajar, 26, Malta
What partners can do:
Shift to lower-emissions
- Shift to lower-emission vehicles and fuels and implement mandatory inspections. Promote lower private vehicle use, and encourage active mobility, the use of public transport and cleaner modes of transport, including incentivizing the increased use of electric vehicles.
Introduce low-emission zones
- Introduce low-emission zones in areas where children live, learn and play (these are areas where vehicles that do not meet a minimum standard for emissions are restricted from entering).
Implement air quality monitoring
- Implement air quality monitoring around traffic hot spots to support decision-making.
Implement risk communication
- Implement risk communication measures to improve public awareness of the unique vulnerabilities of children to air pollution and how to reduce these risks.
Follow air quality info
- Utilize air quality information and implement risk reduction measures. For example, avoid travelling with children during times of heavy traffic. If it is not possible, wearing well-fitting facemasks or certified respirators on children over 3 may help.
Avoid exposure
- If walking, running or cycling, travel on less busy roads. Keep children away from fumes generated by idling cars and school buses.
- Ensure children are not playing or doing strenuous sports or activities in locations near heavy traffic. Get children to stop these activities if they start coughing or develop other respiratory symptoms.
Change behaviour
- Use public transport and avoid the use of personal vehicles. Turn engines off rather than idling them in places where children are present.
Urban Health Initiative
The Urban Health Initiative is an implementation framework which aims to reduce the deaths and diseases caused by air pollution and lack of clean energy access in cities. It aims to equip health and other sectors with the data, tools and capacity to demonstrate to the public and decision-makers the full range of benefits that can be achieved from creating healthy urban environments.
Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles
The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) is the leading global public-private initiative promoting cleaner fuels and vehicles in developing countries and countries in transition. Established at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the PCFV brings together 73 organizations representing developed and developing countries, the fuel and vehicle industries, civil society, and leading world experts on cleaner fuels and vehicles.