Don't smoke? Think again... It really depends in the levels of pollution in your region. In some regions of Europe you can be smoking half a packet a day quite unintentionally, simply by spending part of your day outside! So much for going outside to get some fresh air!
Krakow is the third most polluted city in Europe, and the most polluted city in Poland. There are severe long-term health impacts that occur from exposure to pollution. These include cancer, mutations, asthma, as well as other negative effects on the blood, heart and brain!!! This is not something to be taken lightly, especially as many of the most affected people are children. Many children are born with problems that are directly linked to air pollution- including lower IQ, heart defects and lower birth weights. This means that in only a 9month period, the fetus is being significantly affected by this pollution.
The pollutants that are causing so much havoc on climatic processes in the atmosphere are also having a significant direct impact on individuals back on Earth. This is why so many health experts are promoting the co-benefits of climate change mitigation!
Scary thoughts from a really interesting workshop on the effects of coal on health from the scientists at HEAL who use science to change policy.
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