Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases symposium on air pollution: overview and highlights.

A 1-day symposium before the annual meeting of the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases, gathered authorities and researchers from around the world to discuss the impact of air pollution on human and planetary health. Air quality is a high priority for Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases and China, the host country. This article presents a summary, commentary, and amplification of the 17 presentations. Air pollution is closely linked with global warming and harms most body systems even at levels below international standards. Information about the genetic, cellular, and metabolic effects of exposure to air pollution is important for better understanding of individual responses and even potential therapeutic mediation. Reducing air pollution at its source leads to prompt and important benefits and should be the first priority for political and public action.