The discussion below describes the physical effects of key air pollutants on human health. This discussion is mostly based on Morgan and Jalaludin’s (2001) review. Where possible, sensitive subgroups in the population have been identified, including people with existing disease (mainly respiratory and cardiovascular), people with infections such as influenza and pneumonia, asthmatics, the elderly and children. Exposure-response estimates for the key pollutants are presented in Appendix 3. Risk estimates for benzene, 1,3-butadiene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), toluene and xylene, sourced from the US EPA, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Health Organisation, are also presented.
