Air Pollution: A Slow, Silent Killer

Air pollution is a leading cause of death internationally. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, air pollution is the fourth-leading cause of mortality among all metabolic and behavioural risk factors. Research has shown that exposure to air pollutants increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancers.

Air pollution increases antibiotic resistance, which can lead to premature death

Air pollution is a leading cause of death internationally. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, it is the fourth-leading cause of mortality among all metabolic and behavioural risk factors.

Air pollution increases the risk of developing a range of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancers. It is associated with an increase in stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.

Air pollution also increases antibiotic resistance, which can lead to premature death. A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health Journal found a clear correlation between the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air and antibiotic resistance. Each 1% increase in air pollution corresponds to a rise in antibiotic resistance ranging from 0.5% to 1.9%.

The study, conducted by researchers from China and the UK, is the first to suggest the impact of air pollution on antibiotic resistance on a global scale. Antibiotic resistance has become a cause of concern in recent years, as it can happen due to many reasons such as taking over-the-counter antibiotics, not taking antibiotics for the stipulated time, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria making its way through industrial waste.

The increase in air pollution levels could be coinciding with a greater increase in antibiotic resistance. Data indicates that 7.3 billion people worldwide are directly exposed to hazardous average annual PM2.5 levels.

Air pollution can cause cardiovascular diseases

Air pollution is a leading cause of death internationally, and the risk of death associated with air pollution is highest for those over 85 years old, female, non-white, or economically disadvantaged. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, air pollution is the fourth-leading cause of mortality among all metabolic and behavioural risk factors.

Indoor air pollution is associated with 3.2 million deaths per year, primarily in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, several Southeast Asian countries, and Russia, where households often use dirtier-burning fuels such as kerosene, wood, or coal for heating or cooking. The associated increase in stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer tends to affect women and children the most, as they traditionally do more household chores.

Additionally, air pollution increases antibiotic resistance, which can lead to premature deaths. For example, in 2018, air pollution was estimated to have caused 480,000 premature deaths and 18 million years of life lost globally.

It is important to note that the death toll from air pollution is not distributed equally. Some deaths may be attributed to multiple risk factors, such as smoking and air pollution, which can both contribute to lung cancer. Therefore, improving air quality and reducing exposure to air pollutants can help prevent avoidable deaths and improve overall health for millions of people worldwide.

Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases

Research has shown that when air pollution from fine particles or ozone increases intermittently, there is a substantial increase in deaths within a 2-day period. Each incremental increase of 10 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter or 10 parts per billion of ozone is associated with a rise in deaths. Those most at risk of death associated with air pollution are over 85 years old, female, non-white, or economically disadvantaged.

Indoor air pollution is associated with 3.2 million deaths a year, mostly in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, several Southeast Asian countries, and Russia, where households use dirtier-burning fuels such as kerosene, wood, or coal for heating or cooking. Additionally, air pollution increases antibiotic resistance, which can lead to premature deaths and lost years of life.

Air pollution, particularly from carbon combustion, has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. For example, both smoking and ambient air pollution affect lung cancer risk. Therefore, improving air quality and reducing tobacco smoking are crucial to preventing lung cancer deaths.

Air pollution can cause cancer

Air pollution is a leading cause of death internationally. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, air pollution is the fourth-leading cause of mortality among all metabolic and behavioural risk factors.

The risk of developing lung cancer from air pollution is relatively small compared to other risk factors, such as smoking. However, nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world's population breathes unhealthy air. The associated increase in stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer tend to hit women and children the hardest.

Air pollution can increase the risk of stroke

Air pollution is associated with an increased risk of developing a range of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancers. These diseases can lead to premature death, with those most at risk being over 85 years old, female, non-white, or economically disadvantaged.

Indoor air pollution, caused by the use of dirtier-burning fuels such as kerosene, wood, or coal for heating or cooking, is associated with 3.2 million deaths a year, primarily in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, several Southeast Asian countries, and Russia. The associated increase in stroke tends to hit women and children the hardest, as they traditionally tend to do more household chores.

Additionally, air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of antibiotic resistance, which can lead to premature deaths and lost years of life. It is important to note that death is not the only negative consequence of air pollution, as many millions more suffer from poor health as a result.

Frequently asked questions