While the health impacts of air pollution are well-documented in scientific studies, this factor has not been recognized in Polish medical diagnoses as a primary cause of health issues until a breakthrough case last year. As highlighted by HEAL in Poland in May 2023, an eleven-year-old boy, Maciek (name changed), suffered for most of his life from a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and frequent infections, all of which worsened during the heating season. After a prolonged struggle by Maciek’s parents to find the true cause of his health issues, a conclusive opinion was finally issued, stating: “suspected bronchial hyperreactivity/allergy due to air pollution.”
HEAL in Poland welcomed the first position (in Polish) of the Public Health Council on the steps necessary to reduce the exposure of people in Poland air pollution and the effects of climate change. The Public Health Council is an advisory body to the Minister of Health. Their positioning is particularly important in the context of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) which entered into force on 10 December 2024.
“A significant improvement in air quality is only possible with the simultaneous implementation of medium- and long-term actions aimed at the permanent reduction of pollutant emissions into the air (…) especially from the communal and transport sectors.” (position of the Public Health Council)
The Council’s position on inter-ministerial actions to mitigate the impact of air pollution and climate change on health outlines priority steps for the rapid improvement of air quality, assuming synergy with climate policies.
The list includes eight priorities, and various ministries are to be involved in their work, depending on the area of action:
- Ensuring access to information about the health effects of air pollution and climate change, especially for healthcare workers;
- Educate elementary and high school students, as well as their legal guardians, regarding the issue of air pollution;
- Revision of medical programmes in higher education institutions regarding environmental health courses;
- Preparation and implementation of a risk alert system in relation to air pollution or the negative impact of climate change, particularly in the case of extreme events;
- Reduction of the impact of emissions from road, rail, water, and air transport on health;
- Limiting energy poverty;
- Inclusion of healthcare facilities, particularly hospitals, in the energy transition process;
- Inclusion of a health perspective in the development of national and regional policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Weronika Michalak, Director of HEAL Poland welcomed the publication of the position: “Air pollution and the effects of climate change have a huge impact on public health. The involvement of the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Council in countering these health threats is crucial for achieving measurable results in protecting the health of people in Poland. We also count on effective interdepartmental actions, as the topics of both these issues and the necessary solutions go beyond the purely health-related scope. The position of the Public Health Council is a long-awaited, important step that sets the direction for actions—now it’s time for concrete initiatives that fulfill the established priorities”.
Read the position here
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