lean air is considered to be a basic requirement for human health and wellbeing. In spite of the introduction of cleaner technologies in industry, energy production and transport, air pollution remains a major health risk. Air pollution is a trans-boundary, multi-pollutant, multi-effect environmental problem. Although significant and well directed efforts over more than two decades have led to a reduction in emissions, air pollution in across the world continues to pose risks and has adverse effects on human health and the natural and man-made environment (EEA, 2003)
Deriving from case studies on air pollution, from India as well as internationally a few common concerns were found relating to global health.
For instance, recent epidemiological studies have provided evidence that in Europe hundreds of thousands of premature deaths are attributed to air pollution. The World Health Organization has been concerned with air pollution and its impact on human health for more than 40 years. In 1987 these activities culminated in the publication of the first edition of Air quality guidelines for developed nations. It was the aim of the guidelines to provide a basis for protecting public health from adverse effects of air pollutants, to eliminate or reduce exposure to hazardous air pollutants, and to guide national and local authorities in their risk management decisions. The guidelines were received with great enthusiasm and found wide application in environmental decision making in