24 November 2022 (16’30 to 18’30 ECT)

The conference will be conducted in Spanish

Free registration at https://easp.ws/c/8WQQCA

Online Conference:

The influence of air pollution and electromagnetic radiation on health

Introduction:

The quality of the air we breathe is currently a global public health issue because of the serious consequences to health and the ecosystems. Indoor air quality depends on the levels of chemical, physical and biological pollutants present in living spaces (e.g. physical air pollutants from fossil fuel combustion such as PM10 and PM2.5, NOx, CO, inappropriate temperatures, mould, flame retardants, pesticides, amongst others), but it also has to do with the state of health of the population and the quality of the buildings. Thus, indoor air contains a combination of pollutants resulting from different sources, which need to be recognised in order to be eliminated or reduced accordingly.

In relation to outdoor air, we are constantly exposed to air pollutants, mostly from road traffic, industry and heating systems (mainly N02 and particulate matter), present in today’s urban environments. Over the last two decades, and as in other regions of Spain and Europe, levels of pollutant gas emissions and atmospheric particulate matter have experienced overall reductions in Andalusia. The new Global Air Quality Guidelines published in September 2021 by the World Health Organisation introduce new challenges, for the short and medium term, for air quality managers from public agencies and the private sector.

On the other hand, in recent years we have witnessed a rapid evolution of wireless communication technologies (from 2G to 5G) and gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets, which has led to the widespread use of these technologies, particularly in children and adolescents. As a result, this population is at a higher risk of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, although very little is yet known about the actual exposure, particularly to new technologies such as 5G. It is worth noting that children are more vulnerable to the potential health effects of this exposure, since they are in a critical period of development, especially brain development.

This online conference will involve the participation of experts who, through individual cases, will outline the implications of indoor and outdoor air pollution, the effects it has on the health of the population, and the scenarios before us. We will also have the opportunity to learn about studies conducted to date showing the relationship between exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and brain development.

 

Programme

16:30h – 16:45h Welcome and opening session:

Jorge del Diego Salas. General Director of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Management. Regional Ministry of Health of the Andalusian Government.

 

 

 

Blanca Fernández-Capel Baños. Managing Director. Andalusian School of Public Health.

 

 

 

16:45-17:00h Introduction and moderation

Marina Lacasaña Navarro. Director of the Health and Environment Observatory of Andalusia (OSMAN). Andalusian School of Public Health.

Further information

 

 

 

17:00- 17:20 Past, present and future trends in Air Quality in Andalusia

Jesús De la Rosa. Principal Investigator of the Associated Unit CSIC-University of Huelva “Atmospheric Pollution”. Centre for Research in Sustainable Chemistry (CIQSO).

Further information

 

 

 

17:20-17:40. Indoor air pollution

Consolación Ana Acha Román. Professor. Building and Architectural Technology. Higher Technical School of Arquitecture of Madrid.

Further information

 

17:40-18:00 Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and brain development.

Mònica Guxens. Medical Doctor. Specialist in preventive medicine and public health. Principal Investigator at Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).

Further information

 

18:00-18:30. Questions and conclusions