Dr. Zorana Andersen

Black carbon as a component of PM2.5 has been more recent, but epidemiological evidence has really emerged quite substantially last 10 years or so, I would say.

We have seen a number of very good studies.

There is even a meta-analysis on black carbon and mortality, which finds clearly that there are association between black carbon.

There are about 12, 13 good studies.

And when you summarize all of these, you see clear association with black carbon leading to premature mortality in line of evidence we have with PM2.5, as well as cause-specific cardiorespiratory, lung cancer, mortality, diabetes, and so on.

We see also more and more studies on outcomes such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, autism, and asthma in children.

We see also more and more studies on specific mechanistic effects.

How does black carbon reach the organs in our body?

And how does it then cause the relevant health effect?

So we have that basic understanding from PM that the major impact here, that small particles that enter our lungs,

And through our lungs and alveoli, our bloodstream and by that can reach all our organs.

The inflammation is the key mechanism here.

Similar to smoking particles and inflammation in our lungs can trigger asthma and COPD.

This is same for PM and for black carbon as a specific component.

But, of course, we would like to see a few more studies on the specific components, understand better.

And to mention as a last thing, in response to this increasing evidence and call for more substantial review of evidence to lead regulation of black carbon, WHO had a review in 2012, has now

We commission a new review that is currently ongoing and it's supposed to be coming out this year.

This will be an important new summary that will really point out to enormous health effects of black carbon and its independence from PM2.5.

So we should look out for this.