Air quality and health: a health and regulatory challenge in Argentina

Abstract

Since the Industrial Revolution, there has been an exponential increase in air pollutants, which not only abruptly accelerate climate change but also have deleterious effects on humans, animals, and the environment. In Argentina, this challenge to planetary health is compounded by the challenges of economic growth with climate and environmental responsibility, and the creation of air quality monitoring networks with local regulations. The acquisition of equipment and the creation of monitoring networks are costly, with some initiatives being public, others private, academic, or from the third sector. Therefore, science-policy communication should be optimized so that decision-makers have access to information and prioritize this issue. In turn, having national legislation on air quality parameters becomes essential both for assessing the health impact and for defining priorities for action. The presence of national and jurisdictional regulations on air quality in Argentina was investigated. Legal instruments were found at the national level, and in only 10 of the 24 jurisdictions. None of the guidelines approximate the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Guidelines on air quality (2021), and not all of them are consistent. It is essential not only to create air quality monitoring networks but also to adapt and/or generate local regulations that allow for monitoring and preventive and corrective actions, in order to protect Argentine public health.