Brian Barton
Air pollution is a serious global issue that poses a major threat to human health and the environment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population is exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution, increasing their risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, pneumonia, and other respiratory issues. Recent studies reveal that only 0.18% of the Earth's land area meets safe levels of air quality, and just 0.001% of people worldwide breathe in air considered acceptable. While death rates from total air pollution have declined in recent decades, the problem remains prevalent, with air pollution contributing to one in ten deaths globally. The burden of air pollution is greater in low and middle-income countries due to indoor pollution from solid fuel use and increasing outdoor pollution during industrialization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of premature deaths caused by air pollution in 2019 | 4.5 million |
| Percentage of all deaths caused by air pollution | More than 10% |
| Number of deaths caused by indoor air pollution in 2019 | 2 million |
| Number of deaths caused by air pollution per 100,000 people | Varies by country |
| Diseases caused by air pollution | Heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, lung cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
| Percentage of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases | 72% |
| Percentage of deaths caused by toxic pollution | 16% |
| Countries with the highest levels of air pollution | Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India |
| Countries with the lowest levels of air pollution | Bahamas, New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Iceland, Sweden |
| Pollutants monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency | PM2.5, PM10, Ozone (O3), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) |
| Target for air pollution set by the World Health Organization | 0-10 µg/m³ |
| Air quality considered unhealthy for sensitive groups by IQ Air | Above 35.5 µg/m³ |
| Air quality considered unhealthy for all by IQ Air | 55.5-150.4 µg/m³ |
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What You'll Learn
- Air pollution is the leading cause of death and disease globally
- % of the global population is exposed to unsafe air pollution levels
- Outdoor air pollution increases as countries industrialise
- Fossil fuels are a large source of damaging pollutants
- Air pollution is monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO)
Air pollution is the leading cause of death and disease globally
Air pollution is a major threat to health across the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost the entire global population (99%) is exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, pneumonia, and other diseases. This is supported by a 2023 Monash University study, which found that 99.999% of the world's population breathes unsafe air.
The health impacts of air pollution can lead to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as stroke, heart disease, and cancer. In 2021, air pollution was the second-leading risk factor for death among children under five, after malnutrition. It was responsible for 700,000 deaths in this age group, approximately 15% of all global deaths among children under five. Overall, air pollution is responsible for millions of healthy years of life lost worldwide.
Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas used for heating, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, and chemical production fumes are the primary sources of human-made air pollution. Natural sources include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.
The impact of air pollution varies across regions. High-income countries such as Finland, Norway, Australia, and Canada see less than 10% of ischemic heart disease deaths attributed to air pollution. In contrast, this figure increases to over 40% in parts of Africa and South Asia, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Bangladesh. Similarly, in countries like Kuwait, Nepal, Egypt, Pakistan, China, Rwanda, and Tajikistan, one in five deaths due to Type 2 diabetes is linked to air pollution exposure.
While global death rates from total air pollution have declined in recent decades, the burden of air pollution remains significant, especially in low and middle-income countries. Indoor pollution rates tend to be high in low-income countries due to the reliance on solid fuels for cooking, while outdoor air pollution increases as countries industrialize and shift from low to middle incomes. As such, addressing air pollution is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals and improving public health worldwide.
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99% of the global population is exposed to unsafe air pollution levels
Air pollution is a significant health and environmental issue worldwide, with almost the entire global population (99%) breathing air that exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. This means that 99% of people worldwide are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution, which poses a major threat to their health.
WHO data reveals that air pollution, both ambient and household, was the largest environmental risk to health in 2019, contributing to about one-tenth of global deaths that year. The combined effects of ambient and household air pollution are associated with approximately 6.7 million premature deaths annually. Outdoor air pollution alone caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019, primarily due to ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute lower respiratory infections, and lung cancer.
Low- and middle-income countries bear a disproportionate burden of outdoor air pollution, with 89% of premature deaths occurring in these regions, particularly in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific areas. This disparity is partly due to the increased industrial activity associated with the shift from low to middle incomes. Additionally, indoor pollution rates tend to be higher in low-income countries due to the reliance on solid fuels for cooking.
The microscopic particles in air pollution can penetrate the throat and respiratory system, impairing lung function and increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. These particles, which can be as small as a fraction of the diameter of a human hair, are composed of various chemicals, including sulphates, nitrates, mineral dust, ammonia, and sodium chloride. They originate from construction sites, fires, power plants, heavy industry, and car exhaust pipes.
Addressing air pollution is crucial for both human health and the environment. Implementing policies and investments that support sustainable land use, cleaner household energy, improved waste management, and cleaner transport can effectively reduce key sources of ambient air pollution. Additionally, curbing fossil fuel use is essential, as many of the drivers of air pollution, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, are also sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Outdoor air pollution increases as countries industrialise
Air pollution is a significant health and environmental issue worldwide, with almost the entire global population (99%) exposed to air pollution levels that increase their risk of diseases and early death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution, both ambient and household, was the most significant environmental health risk in 2019.
Outdoor air pollution is one of the world's most pressing health and environmental concerns. It is a major issue in both cities and rural areas and disproportionately affects people in low- and middle-income countries. Outdoor air pollution tends to increase as countries industrialize and transition from low to middle incomes. This is due to the increased use of fossil fuels and the associated emissions from power plants, heavy industry, and vehicle exhausts. The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major constituent of photochemical smog.
The health impacts of outdoor air pollution are significant. Exposure to polluted air has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, respiratory infections, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses. In 2019, outdoor air pollution caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide, with 89% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The greatest burden of these premature deaths was found in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions.
The issue of outdoor air pollution is not limited to developing or industrialized nations. Even in high-income countries, outdoor air pollution contributes to the global disease burden and negatively impacts the health of those exposed. Fine particulate matter, a major component of outdoor air pollution, has been linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancers. Additionally, there is growing evidence that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution can impact cognitive function and overall well-being.
Addressing outdoor air pollution requires concerted action from policymakers and society as a whole. Implementing cleaner technologies, improving waste management practices, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and promoting sustainable transport options are crucial steps towards reducing outdoor air pollution and mitigating its detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
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Fossil fuels are a large source of damaging pollutants
Air pollution is a critical global health and environmental issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population is exposed to unsafe air pollution levels, increasing their risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, pneumonia, and other diseases.
Fossil fuels are a significant contributor to air pollution. Burning fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, leading to the formation of smog and acid rain. Fossil fuels are also a source of air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury, which have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. The extraction, transportation, and refining of fossil fuels can result in oil spills, contaminating water sources and endangering aquatic ecosystems.
Furthermore, the unearthing, processing, and transportation of fossil fuel deposits can take a significant toll on landscapes and ecosystems. For example, strip mining for coal or oil removal can involve scraping and blasting entire swaths of terrain, including forests and mountaintops. Drilling and fracking operations generate enormous volumes of wastewater, which can be laden with heavy metals, radioactive materials, and other pollutants that endanger drinking water sources and aquatic life.
The combustion of fossil fuels also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and drive climate change. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 74% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly 25% of emissions came from fossil fuels extracted from public lands.
The impacts of fossil fuel pollution disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities. For instance, in "Cancer Alley," a predominantly Black and low-income area of Louisiana, the cancer risk is nearly 50 times higher than the national average due to the proximity of numerous chemical plants and oil refineries.
To address the issue of fossil fuel pollution, several strategies have been proposed, including eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, increasing energy efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
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Air pollution is monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO's Air Pollution Data Portal includes Burden of Disease statistics, air quality databases, and modelled exposure estimates for both ambient and household air pollution. The data is used for official reporting, such as world health statistics and the Sustainable Development Goals. WHO also provides an interactive map that shows air quality standards and the presence of different pollutants in countries worldwide. This map helps countries develop clean household energy policies and programmes.
WHO's Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model assists policymakers and program planners in understanding household air pollution levels and developing strategies to improve air quality. Additionally, the PT model calculates the emission rates required for stoves, heaters, or lamps to achieve specific air quality and health targets.
WHO supports countries in addressing air pollution through evidence-based policies and actions. They provide technical support to member states, offering guidance, tools, and advice on health issues related to air pollution. WHO also works to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and the available solutions through digital outreach and partnerships with various stakeholders.
WHO's Air Quality and Health Unit operates in three key areas: knowledge, evidence, and measuring progress; institutional capacity building and technical support; and leadership and coordination. They also provide global guidance on thresholds and limits for key air pollutants through the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG). These guidelines are developed through a transparent, evidence-based process and include interim targets to promote a gradual shift towards lower pollutant concentrations.
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Frequently asked questions
Almost the entire world's population (99.999%) is exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution.
Air pollution is caused by human activities, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels. The particles that make up air pollution can contain hundreds of different chemicals, including sulphates, nitrates, mineral dust, ammonia, and sodium chloride. Some common sources of these particles include construction sites, fires, power plants, heavy industry, and car exhaust pipes.
Air pollution is one of the leading risk factors for death and disease worldwide. It has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, respiratory problems, lung cancer, and premature death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution caused about one in ten deaths globally in recent years.
According to a 2023 study, only 0.18% of the global land area is free from dangerous levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). However, since many of these areas are uninhabited, only 0.001% of the global population breathes air that is considered safe.
