Kiera Jefferson
Air pollution is a pressing global issue that claims millions of lives annually. In 2021, air pollution was responsible for approximately 8.1 million deaths worldwide, making it the second leading risk factor for premature mortality, including for children under five years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 7 million people die each year from indoor and outdoor air pollution, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels, forest fires, waste burning, industrial activities, and natural factors. This silent killer, often invisible, poses a significant threat to public health, contributing to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory ailments. While air pollution remains a challenge, there is hope in the data, as some countries have passed their peak air pollution and are witnessing declining trends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people killed by pollution per year | 7 million (WHO estimate) to 9 million (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health estimate) |
| Number of children under five killed by pollution in 2021 | 700,000 |
| Number of people killed by indoor air pollution per year | 3.8 million (WHO estimate) |
| Number of people killed by outdoor air pollution per year | 4.2 million (WHO estimate) to 4.5 million Global Burden of Disease estimate |
| Number of people killed by anthropogenic air pollution per year | 5.5 million (Lelieveld et al. estimate) |
| Number of people killed by burning fossil fuels per year | 3.6 million (Lelieveld et al. estimate) |
| Number of people killed by long-term exposure to ozone in 2021 | 489,518 |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution kills millions annually
Air pollution is a pressing global issue that claims the lives of millions of people annually. It is a silent killer, often invisible, and does not garner the attention it deserves compared to other public health emergencies. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called air pollution the "single biggest environmental threat to human health." The impact of air pollution extends beyond the millions of deaths, with many more people suffering from debilitating chronic diseases, placing a tremendous strain on healthcare systems, economies, and societies.
According to the WHO, air pollution kills approximately seven million people worldwide each year. This estimate includes deaths from both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution, caused by burning wood and charcoal, accounts for 3.8 million deaths, while outdoor air pollution claims 4.2 million lives. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) provides a similar estimate of 6.7 million deaths due to air pollution.
The majority of deaths related to air pollution are due to non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is a significant contributor to air pollution-related deaths. These particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter and can remain in the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and affect multiple organ systems.
Air pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children under five years old. In 2021, exposure to air pollution was linked to the deaths of more than 700,000 children under five, with 500,000 of these deaths attributed to household air pollution, mainly in Africa and Asia. UNICEF has emphasized the urgent need for action to reduce air pollution and protect children's health.
While there is some positive progress, such as China passing its "peak air pollution" and upper-middle-income countries experiencing quicker reductions in air pollution, it remains a critical issue. Addressing air pollution requires a multifaceted approach, including shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy sources, improving access to clean energy for cooking, enhancing healthcare and nutrition, and raising awareness about the harms of air pollution.
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Children are vulnerable
Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health, causing millions of premature deaths every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution kills 7 million people annually, with 4.2 million dying from outdoor air pollution and 3.8 million from indoor air pollution. While air pollution affects everyone, children are especially vulnerable to its harmful effects.
Children are more susceptible to the adverse impacts of air pollution due to several factors. Firstly, children have higher breathing rates than adults, inhaling more air per kilogram of body weight. Their proximity to the ground also puts them at risk as they breathe in air closer to the ground where pollutants, especially from traffic exhausts, are emitted and become concentrated. Furthermore, children tend to breathe faster and are often more physically active, increasing their exposure to pollutants.
Children's developing bodies and organs make them more vulnerable. Their lungs and immune systems are still maturing, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections and allergies. Pollution can also impact children's organ development, with children living near busy roads being four times more likely to have reduced lung function. Air pollution has been linked to low birth weight, asthma, and increased risks of adult chronic diseases.
The impact of air pollution on children's health is a growing concern. In 2019, air pollution was identified as the largest environmental risk to health by the WHO, and it continues to be a significant issue. While emissions have declined in some regions, air pollution levels remain unsafe, particularly in urban areas. Policies and interventions aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting children's health are crucial.
Children's vulnerability to air pollution highlights the urgency of implementing measures to improve air quality. This includes reducing emissions, promoting sustainable practices, and advocating for policies that prioritize clean air and the well-being of children. By addressing air pollution, we can not only improve children's health but also help mitigate the impacts of climate change, creating a healthier future for generations to come.
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Fossil fuels are a major cause
Air pollution is one of the world's biggest killers. While the number of deaths from air pollution is still horrifically high, the data does contain hope. Air pollution is falling quickly in many upper-middle-income countries, and some of the poorest countries might be able to skip the curve entirely.
The combustion of fossil fuels releases fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, which includes soot. These particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter and are almost invisible. They are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma and lead to lung cancer, coronary heart disease, strokes, and early death. In 2018, fossil fuel pollution was responsible for nearly 2.5 million deaths in India, representing over 30% of total deaths in the country among people over the age of 14. Thousands of children under the age of five also die each year due to respiratory infections attributed to fossil fuel pollution.
The regions with the highest concentrations of fossil fuel-related air pollution, including Eastern North America, Europe, and South-East Asia, have the highest rates of mortality. The death toll from burning fossil fuels in power generation, transportation, and industry is estimated to be 3.6 million premature deaths annually. This means that phasing out fossil fuels and substituting them with clean sources of energy would avoid an excess mortality of 3.6 million people per year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed and implemented a strategy to raise awareness of the risks of air pollution and promote solutions to mitigate the risks of exposure. WHO provides technical support to its member states and offers guidance, tools, and advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources.
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Indoor air pollution is deadly
Air pollution is a silent killer, responsible for millions of deaths each year. While outdoor air pollution is a significant concern, it is important to recognize that indoor air pollution is equally deadly and poses a severe threat to human health.
Indoor air pollution, caused by inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies, contains a range of health-damaging pollutants. These include fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues. Poor ventilation exacerbates the problem, with indoor smoke levels reaching up to 100 times higher than acceptable limits. Women and children, who typically spend more time indoors and are responsible for household chores, bear the brunt of the health consequences.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that indoor air pollution from burning wood and charcoal alone contributes to approximately 3.8 million deaths annually. This figure underscores the urgency of addressing indoor air pollution as a critical public health issue. The use of polluting fuels, such as kerosene, unprocessed coal, and solid fuels like wood, charcoal, and dung, for cooking and heating, poses significant risks. These fuels release harmful pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds, which have been linked to an increased risk of respiratory diseases, heart diseases, lung cancer, and other non-communicable diseases.
The impact of indoor air pollution extends beyond physical health. Biological pollutants, such as mold, pollen, animal dander, and dust mites, can trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma. Additionally, indoor air pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities and minority populations, who are often exposed to higher levels of pollutants and are more vulnerable to adverse health outcomes.
Addressing indoor air pollution requires a multifaceted approach. The transition to cleaner fuels and technologies, such as solar, electricity, biogas, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is essential. WHO has issued guidelines for indoor air quality and provided technical support to countries to promote the adoption of health-protective fuels and technologies. Additionally, improving ventilation, using air purifiers, and implementing policies that support sustainable practices, cleaner household energy, and energy-efficient housing can contribute to reducing indoor air pollution levels and mitigating its deadly consequences.
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Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat
Air pollution is a familiar environmental health hazard. While it is often associated with the brown haze that settles over cities, the exhaust from highways, or the plumes from smokestacks, some air pollution is invisible and odourless. It is a major threat to global health and prosperity, and it is the biggest environmental threat.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports on six major air pollutants: particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead. These pollutants can have a disastrous effect on all components of the environment, including groundwater, soil, and air. They also pose a serious threat to living organisms, including humans, animals, and plants. Air pollution has been linked to a range of diseases and health issues, including respiratory problems, strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
The WHO estimates that air pollution kills 7 million people every year: 4.2 million from outdoor air pollution and 3.8 million from indoor air pollution from burning wood and charcoal. Other estimates range from 5.5 million to more than 6.5 million deaths each year. Air pollution kills hundreds of times more people annually than natural disasters, terrorism, war, or road accidents. While air pollution is a global issue, it particularly affects children, with studies showing that exposure to high levels of air pollutants during development can lead to bronchitis, lung damage, and an increased risk of cerebral palsy and cognitive and emotional problems later in life.
The primary sources of human-made air pollution include vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas used for heating, by-products of manufacturing and power generation (especially coal-fueled power plants), and fumes from chemical production. Nature also releases hazardous substances into the air, such as smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane. While air pollution is a significant problem, there is hope. Air pollution levels are falling in many countries, and some of the poorest countries might be able to skip the curve entirely. Additionally, policies that support sustainable land use, cleaner household energy and transport, energy-efficient housing, and better waste management can help reduce air pollution. Public awareness and a multidisciplinary approach by scientific experts are also crucial in tackling this global threat.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the World Health Organization, 9 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution. However, other sources state that the number of people killed by pollution annually is 8.1 million, 7 million, 6.7 million, 5.5 million, or 4.5 million.
Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pollution is caused by the burning of fossil fuels, forest fires, waste burning, industrial activities, and natural factors. The pollutants remain in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, affecting various organ systems.
Yes, China has passed "peak air pollution" and is reducing air pollution in several large urban areas. Upper-middle-income countries are also experiencing a rapid decline in air pollution.
