International lung doctors are in favour of pollutant limits

International lung specialist doctors, a mix of German colleagues expressed debate to limit values for oxides of nitrogen and fine dust. The Forum of the International lung societies (FIRS) to agree to the national German Standards, European Standards and those of the world health organization (WHO) strongly stated in a in the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” published an opinion. Thus, they contradict the group of German lung specialist doctors who doubted in the past week, the health Benefits of the current limit values for fine dust and nitrogen oxides.

The air pollution damages according to the assessment by the international group of specialist doctors not only the lungs but also other organs and worsen chronic diseases. The limits are chosen in such a way that even for the chronically Ill, significant negative effects on the health can be excluded.

“FIRS thus strongly supports international Standards. Each activity is for a clean air promotes good health”, – stated in the opinion. FIRS is a merger of various international pneumological professional associations. It is led currently by Professor Tobias Welte of Hannover Medical school.

Clearly A Contradiction

A group of lung specialists to Dieter Köhler, the former President of the German society for pneumology and respiratory medicine (DGP), had initiated last Wednesday, the debate, by doubted the health Benefits of the current limits. They see no scientific rationale that would justify the current values. The limit values are the basis for diesel driving bans in some German cities.

The Position of the group of Köhler stand in essential Parts is in marked contrast to the pneumological scientific societies and professional associations published opinions on the relevance of air pollutants for the health, it was said on Saturday by the Federal Association of pulmonologists, sleep and respiratory medical professionals (BdP).

The objections of the 100 or pulmonologist – from a survey of over 4000 members of the DGP – represented in no way the opinion of the majority of the German lung doctors. (Read here the replica of a lung specialist Kai-Michael Beeh)

Right to low-emission air

According to a recent online survey conducted by the Association more than three-quarters of the answer to see members in oxides of nitrogen a Marker for poor-quality air, of the standing representative for the other, often much more dangerous pollutants. A majority of respondents was of the view that a discussion on the methodology of studies should not lead to a trivialization of the effects of air pollution, had communicated to the BdP. Rather, the disputed evidence should lead to improved Evidence.

Everyone should have a right to, if possible, low-emission air – finally, a voluntary waiver is different than, for example, in the case of cigarettes is not possible, it was said by the BdP. “Disturbing it is when Doctors don’t clearly for the clean air for patients and Healthy occurrence.”