Air Pollution: Understanding Global Health Impacts

Zorana Jovanovic Andersen is a distinguished professor specializing in Environmental Epidemiology at the University of Copenhagen and serves as the Chair of the European Respiratory Society Environment and Health Committee. Her research focuses on the health effects of long-term exposure to air pollution, leading multiple projects investigating its impact on various diseases, including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, respiratory diseases, cancer, and dementia. Prof. Andersen has collaborated with significant cohorts such as the Danish Nurse Cohort and the Nationwide Danish Administrative cohort, as well as participating in large European initiatives like ELAPSE. Her work also explores the health implications of road traffic noise, environmental exposures related to aging, and the interaction between air pollution and physical activity. An advocate for clean air, she actively translates research findings into policy recommendations at local, national, and international levels, contributing to various expert groups and committees focused on air quality and public health. Prof. Andersen teaches courses such as "Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health" and "Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions."

Steffen Loft is an internationally recognized researcher specializing in the health effects of particulate matter, molecular epidemiology, and oxidative DNA damage and repair. His work encompasses the study of both outdoor and indoor air pollution, including engineered nanoparticles used in medical applications. Dr. Loft employs a comprehensive array of techniques, from experimental models and organotypic cell cultures to transgenic animals, biomarkers, and population-based epidemiology. His research focuses on the mechanisms behind oxidative stress-related genotoxic and vascular effects, particularly in vulnerable populations such as genetically susceptible individuals, children, and the elderly. Recent achievements include demonstrating the impact of nanoparticles on oxidative DNA damage and vascular function, as well as identifying biomarkers that predict cancer risk in large cohorts. He teaches courses such as "Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health," contributing to the understanding of environmental health challenges.

Peter Møller is a distinguished professor at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in public health with a focus on particle toxicology and genetic toxicology. He earned his master's degree in human biology in 1995, followed by a PhD and Doctor of Medical Science degrees in the genetic toxicology of environmental agents. Since 2012, he has led research on the health impacts of combustion-derived particles and nanomaterials, investigating their roles in cardiovascular disease and cancer through mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA repair. Dr. Møller has contributed to significant evaluations of carcinogenic risks associated with outdoor air pollution and nanomaterials as a member of the IARC Working Group. He teaches courses on environmental medicine, including "Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health," and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, establishing himself as a key figure in environmental health research.