Helena Joyce
Air pollution is a silent killer, claiming millions of lives each year. In 2021, air pollution was responsible for an estimated 8.1 million deaths globally, making it the second leading risk factor for death, including for children under five. The majority of these deaths are attributed to PM2.5 air pollution, which includes ambient and household pollution. Indoor air pollution, caused by inefficient cooking and heating methods, contributes significantly to this toll, with an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year. Outdoor air pollution, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, also plays a major role, causing an estimated 4.2 million deaths annually. While the number of deaths from air pollution remains high, there is hope. Death rates from air pollution have been declining, and with strong policy actions and a rollout of clean technologies, we can further reduce the tragic loss of life due to air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people who died because of pollution globally in 2021 | 8.1 million |
| Number of children under five who died because of pollution globally in 2021 | Almost 2000 |
| Number of people who die prematurely every year due to anthropogenic air pollution | 5.5 million |
| Number of people who die prematurely every year due to burning fossil fuels | 3.6 million |
| Number of people who die prematurely every year due to household air pollution | 3.2 million |
| Number of children under five who died of household air pollution in 2020 | 237,000 |
| Number of people who die prematurely every year due to outdoor air pollution | 4.5 million |
| Number of people who die prematurely every year due to indoor air pollution | 3.8 million |
| Number of people who die from smoking | 8 million |
| Number of people who die in road accidents | 1.3 million |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution: 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021
Air pollution is a significant health and environmental issue worldwide, causing approximately 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021. This figure represents about 12% of total global deaths for that year. The Health Effects Institute (HEI) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) have both published reports highlighting the severe health impacts of air pollution. According to HEI's report, India and China experienced the highest number of air pollution-related deaths, with 2.1 million and 2.3 million fatalities, respectively. These two countries alone accounted for 54% of the total global disease burden due to air pollution. Other countries severely impacted include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Egypt.
Air pollution is the second leading risk factor for premature deaths globally, after malnutrition. It is a critical issue in both indoor and outdoor settings, with indoor air pollution being a particular concern in low-income countries due to the reliance on solid fuels for cooking. Outdoor air pollution, on the other hand, tends to increase as countries industrialize and transition to middle-income status. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the burning of fossil fuels, biomass, industrial activities, and transportation is responsible for over 90% of all air pollution-related deaths. Other major pollutants include ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
The impact of air pollution on children's health is especially concerning. In 2021, over 700,000 children under the age of five died due to air pollution, with the death rate among children in African countries being 100 times higher than in high-income countries. Overall, air pollution is a significant contributor to respiratory and other diseases, and it disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries.
Addressing air pollution is crucial for mitigating its adverse health effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes interventions and initiatives targeting energy, transport, housing, and urban development sectors to reduce air pollution and improve health outcomes. Additionally, raising awareness about the risks of air pollution and implementing solutions can help reduce exposure and prevent premature deaths.
The burden of air pollution is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention and collective efforts to implement sustainable solutions. By improving air quality, we can not only extend lives but also enhance the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.
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Household air pollution: 3.2 million deaths annually
Air pollution is a major threat to both health and climate. While the number of deaths from air pollution remains high, there is hope that we are approaching "peak pollution deaths". In fact, according to some estimates, death rates from air pollution have halved since 1990.
Household air pollution is a significant contributor to global pollution-related deaths. In 2020, an estimated 3.2 million people died due to household air pollution. This figure includes over 237,000 children under the age of five. Women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, are disproportionately affected by household air pollution. They are exposed to harmful smoke from polluting fuels and technologies, such as solid fuels and kerosene, and bear a greater health burden as a result.
The use of polluting fuels and technologies in homes has several negative consequences. Firstly, it increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for those who collect firewood. Secondly, it limits education and other productive activities due to the time spent on these chores. Thirdly, it poses safety risks, especially in less secure environments where the collection of firewood can lead to injuries and violence. Additionally, the ingestion of kerosene is the leading cause of childhood poisonings, and it is also linked to a significant number of severe burns and injuries in low- and middle-income countries.
The health effects of household air pollution are significant. It is associated with non-communicable diseases such as stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Exposure to household air pollution almost doubles the risk of childhood lower respiratory infections and contributes to a high percentage of pneumonia deaths in children under five. It is also a risk factor for acute lower respiratory infections in adults and contributes to a notable proportion of adult pneumonia deaths.
To reduce household air pollution and protect the health of vulnerable populations, it is essential to promote the use of clean fuels and technologies. This includes solar power, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, alcohol fuels, and biomass stoves that meet emission targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO). By transitioning to cleaner energy sources and implementing interventions, we can improve air quality, protect public health, and mitigate the impact of household air pollution on global mortality rates.
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Outdoor air pollution: 4.2 million deaths annually
Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting people in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), outdoor air pollution causes approximately 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide annually. This figure represents the latest WHO estimates of air pollution's death toll as of November 2021 and refers to the year 2016.
The 4.2 million deaths from outdoor air pollution are premature deaths attributed to "exposure to fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5)". This includes pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It is important to note that the WHO does not include deaths caused by other air pollutants, such as ozone, so the 4.2 million figure is likely a conservative estimate.
The majority of these premature deaths, about 89%, occur in low- and middle-income countries, with the greatest burden found in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. This disparity is due to the higher exposures to indoor air pollution in these regions, as well as the fact that some deaths may be attributed to multiple risk factors. For example, both smoking and ambient air pollution contribute to lung cancer, so improving ambient air quality or reducing tobacco smoking could help prevent some lung cancer deaths.
The sources of outdoor air pollution are varied and include residential energy use for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry. Addressing outdoor air pollution requires concerted action by local, national, and regional policymakers to implement policies and investments that support sustainable land use, cleaner household energy, cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, improved power generation, better waste management, and the phasing out of fossil fuels.
The good news is that death rates from outdoor air pollution are falling, even in the most polluted countries. This decline is attributed to the implementation of cleaner technologies and improved air quality. By addressing key sources of outdoor air pollution and continuing to prioritize public health interventions, we can further reduce the number of premature deaths caused by outdoor air pollution.
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Fossil fuel burning: 3.6 million deaths annually
Burning fossil fuels is a major contributor to air pollution, which poses a significant threat to human health. According to a study by Lelieveld et al. (2019), approximately 5.5 million people die prematurely each year due to anthropogenic air pollution, which includes pollution from agriculture, residential energy use, non-fossil industrial emissions, and fossil fuel burning.
When examining the impact of fossil fuel burning specifically, the study found that it is responsible for 3.6 million premature deaths annually. This figure represents the number of people who die as a result of exposure to fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, released into the air during the combustion of fossil fuels. These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, aggravating respiratory conditions such as asthma and leading to lung cancer, coronary heart disease, strokes, and early death.
The impact of fossil fuel burning on human health is not limited to direct exposure to PM 2.5. Fossil fuel combustion is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and its associated health risks. Additionally, the pollution generated indoors, such as from residential energy use, can also contribute to outdoor air pollution, further exacerbating the health impacts on populations.
The good news is that phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy sources could prevent these 3.6 million deaths each year. This transition not only benefits public health but also contributes to the mitigation of climate change. Policy interventions and initiatives that support sustainable land use, cleaner energy, transport, and industry can effectively reduce ambient air pollution and improve public health outcomes.
While the number of deaths from air pollution remains tragically high, there is hope. Global death rates from air pollution have been declining, and the air quality in some regions has improved. For example, China lowered its fossil fuel PM 2.5 emissions by about 44% between 2012 and 2018, saving around 1.5 million lives annually. With continued efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality, we can further reduce the number of deaths attributed to fossil fuel burning and air pollution.
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Water pollution: Women and children are more likely to die from it
While there are no specific figures for deaths caused by water pollution, unsafe drinking water is estimated to cause 1 million deaths each year from diarrhoea, with 395,000 of those being children under 5. This is largely preventable, and the deaths of these children could be avoided if risk factors such as unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene were addressed.
Women and children are more vulnerable to the effects of water pollution, as they often bear the primary responsibility for water collection. This can involve long, dangerous, and physically demanding journeys, leaving them vulnerable to attack and abuse. In two out of three households, women are primarily responsible for water collection, and they often have to walk long distances to reach a water source. This can result in unsafe situations, such as defecating in the open or being attacked while walking to the water source.
Water pollution also exacerbates the lack of access to safe and functional toilets and washing facilities, which disproportionately affects women and girls. They are more vulnerable to abuse, attack, and ill health when they do not have access to safe and private sanitation facilities. For example, having to share facilities with men or go outside to use the toilet puts them at an increased risk of abuse and assault.
Additionally, water pollution can affect women's menstrual hygiene and pregnancy needs. Access to clean water is essential for maintaining menstrual hygiene and can help prevent infections and other health issues. Without it, women's health and ability to fully participate in society are profoundly affected, impacting their educational and economic opportunities.
Improving access to safe and clean water can have significant benefits for women and children. It can reduce the time and effort spent on water collection, improve personal safety, and reduce the risk of water-related diseases, resulting in better health and school attendance for children. For women, access to safe water at home can empower them to start small businesses, increase household income, and improve their overall health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, including children under five years old.
According to a 2019 study, 5.5 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution from anthropogenic sources. Another study from the same year estimates that 4.5 million people died prematurely from outdoor air pollution.
Major outdoor pollution sources include residential energy for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry.
Household air pollution is associated with non-communicable diseases including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
