Managing Multiple Pollutants and Multiple Effects on Human Health

International scientist Professor Judith Chow will present the multiple complex
relationships between several pollutants and their effects on our health. There is no
simple way to manage multiple pollutants for multiple effects.

Professor Judith Chow is a keynote speaker at the 20th International Clean Air and
Environment Conference hosted by the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand
(CASANZ) at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre.

Traditional air quality management treats pollutants individually. But Professor Judith
Chow states that "air pollution consists of a mixture of substances and the effects may
be greater than the sum of the parts".

Regulation of single pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon
monoxide, ozone, particulate matter, and lead has been successful in reducing human
exposure and improving public health.

However, recent emerging knowledge shows that there are other pollutants that
adversely affect our health, such as ultra fine particles, hazardous air pollutants, and
toxic components of suspended particles. Other important pollutant effects, aside from
health, include visibility degradation, climate change, material damage and ecosystem
damage. These involve health-related and non-health related emissions.

Most sources emit more than one important pollutant. Some pollution controls that
reduce one pollutant or effect may actually increase other pollutant emissions or effects.
There is a conceptual basis for multi-pollutant air quality management, but practical
mechanisms are still under development.

Professor Judith Chow holds the Research Chair in Entrepreneurialism and Science in
the Division of Atmospheric Sciences at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada, USA.
She has 34 years of experience in atmospheric, air quality, and environmental health
research and education and has published hundreds of scientific papers.

CASANZ is committed to the long-term improvement of the environment through the
advancement of knowledge and practical experience of environmental and air quality
management.

WHEN: Monday, 1 August, 2011 at 1:30 pm
WHERE: SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, Auckland