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Saadetud: 24.08.2022 15:59
Teema: WHO: C.L.37.2022 (Sand and desert dust survey)
Dear Member States of the World Health Organization,Please find attached,
in the six official languages, C.L.37.2022 regarding a survey on the
health sector response to sand and desert dust.Should you have questions
regarding C.L.37.2022 please send an email to .Best regards,Department of
Governing BodiesWorld Health Organization***DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-
MAIL. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A REPLY***
20, AVENUE APPIA – CH-1211 GENEVA 27 – SWITZERLAND – TEL CENTRAL +41 22 791 2111 – FAX CENTRAL +41 22 791 3111 – WWW.WHO.INT
Ref.: C.L.37.2022
The World Health Organization (WHO) presents its compliments to Member States and
has the honour to refer to the decision WHA68.8 (2015), 1 urging Member States to contribute to
the collection and utilization of data relevant to the health outcomes of air quality as well as
ensuring that health concerns are integrated into relevant policy processes and to inform them of
the progress made with regard to the roadmap for an enhanced global response to the adverse
health effects of air pollution presented by WHO at the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly in
2016. 2 The Road map included provisions on expanding the knowledge base and identify
knowledge gaps, including the health impacts of sources of non-anthropogenic air pollution
such as sand and dust storms.
WHO has recently published a good practice statement on sand and dust storm in the
updated 2021 WHO Air Quality Guidelines 3 and is also increasing its involvement on the topic
with the creation of an expert group on desert dust. 4
In order to better understand the links between sand and desert dust monitoring and
management and its articulation with the health care system, WHO is hereby inviting Member
States to participate to a survey on the health sector response to sand and desert dust. The
results of this survey will lead to improved advice and guidance on managing the health
consequence associated with dust, which can occur in arid or semi-arid as well as temperate or
even humid climates. The survey covers (1) the occurrence and typology of sand and desert dust
events; (2) the management of such events, including by the health sectors and, (3) the health
impacts.
1
Resolution WHA68.8 “Health and the environment: addressing the health impact of air pollution”,
(http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA68/A68_R8-en.pdf)
2
Document A69/18 “Health and the environment: draft road map for an enhanced global response to the
adverse health effects of air pollution” (http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_18-en.pdf)
3
World Health Organization (2021). WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM2.5 and
PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. World Health Organization.
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/345329. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
4
World Health Organization (2021). www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/call-for-experts-global-air-
pollution-and-health-technical-advisory-group.
Page 2
C.L.37.2022
Member States are invited to disseminate the survey within the Ministry of Health
and/or relevant governmental bodies such as meteorological and environmental agencies.
Multiples entries per countries are allowed and will be reconciled. The responses to the
questionnaire will be compiled in aggregate form and analysed by WHO. The deadline for
submitting completed online questionnaire is 23 September 2022. The survey is accessible here
in its English version: https://extranet.who.int/dataformv3/index.php/832781?lang=en.
Questions and comments on the survey can be sent to Mr Josselyn Mothe
(
[email protected]; +41 22 791 3025). Upon request, translations of the survey in other official
languages are also available in a digital format (PDF).
The World Health Organization takes this opportunity to renew to Member States the
assurance of its highest consideration.
GENEVA, 23 August 2022