Are you aware that air pollution is deadlier than malaria and AIDS combined?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), outdoor particulate air pollution accounts for 3.2 million premature deaths across the world annually. The scientists believe that by meeting air quality guidelines, the number of deaths could be reduced to 2.1 million every year.
A report by the United Nations revealed that malaria takes about 660,000 lives while AIDS kills about 1.7 million individuals annually worldwide. Thus, air pollution causes more deaths than the two terrible diseases combined. Unfortunately, victims of air pollution don’t usually make it on the news.
In the new study, researchers looked into air pollution caused by particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns that can enter deep into our lungs. Particulate matter pollution usually comes from coal power plants, cars, fires, lorries, as well as agricultural and industrial emissions. It may also come from burning of wood, crop waste, coal, animal dung for cooking and heating, as well as open burning rubbish.
An individual who breathes particulate matter may be at risk of stroke, heart attack, cancer, emphysema, and other cardiovascular diseases.
The study published in the journal of Environmental Science and Technology revealed that there is a great potential to decrease death rates resulting from particulate matter in the most polluted regions in the world.
The study’s findings also showed the importance of cleaning air even in less polluted areas in the planet.
“We were surprised to find the importance of cleaning air not just in the dirtiest parts of the world – which we expected to find – but also in cleaner environments like the US, Canada and Europe,” said Dr. Julian Marshall of the University of Minnesota.
Lastly, the research revealed that health risks in many countries will elevate even if pollution levels remain constant due to ageing population. This is because older people are more susceptible to health problems caused by air pollution.
