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Factsheet on WHO AQG - Health Effects of CO Exposure on Heart Attacks

Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Research and reports published prior to this date may reference the organisation’s former name.

Summary

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) published revised recommendations for ambient air quality (WHO 2021). To support this update WHO published a review paper in 2021 evaluating the best available evidence on the effects of short-term exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and myocardial infarction (Lee et al. 2021). Specifically, the research published updated quantified risk ratios for exposure to CO on hospitalisation for myocardial infarction (heart attacks).

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