Air Pollution Report: Who's At Risk?

Air pollution is a pressing global issue, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified it as the fourth leading risk factor for early death worldwide. According to the State of Global Air 2024 report, produced in partnership with UNICEF, air pollution is responsible for approximately 4.5 million deaths linked to outdoor air pollution and 2.2 million deaths caused by indoor air pollution in 2019. The report also highlights that over 90% of the global population is exposed to unhealthy air pollution levels, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures. Various organizations, including the American Lung Association and WHO, have been actively monitoring and reporting on air pollution levels and their health impacts. These reports provide valuable insights into the current state of air quality and the progress made in reducing air pollution.

Air pollution kills an estimated 7 million people annually

Air pollution is a pressing issue that claims the lives of approximately 7 million people every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost everyone on Earth (99%) breathes air that exceeds the recommended air quality guidelines. This means that the vast majority of the global population is exposed to unsafe levels of pollutants, which has severe consequences for both health and the economy.

The sources of air pollution are diverse and context-specific. Outdoor air pollution, often caused by residential energy use, vehicles, power generation, agriculture, waste incineration, and industry, contributes significantly to the problem. Additionally, indoor air pollution, such as from cooking and heating with polluting fuels, poses a major health risk, particularly in developing nations.

The health impacts of air pollution are significant. Exposure to polluted air increases the risk of strokes, heart and lung diseases, and cancer. It also impairs children's cognitive development and contributes to long-term health problems such as asthma and other respiratory ailments. These health issues contribute to the high number of premature deaths attributed to air pollution each year.

To address this global emergency, individuals, businesses, and governments must take collective action. Individuals can make informed choices, such as opting for green purchases and cleaner methods of cooking and transportation. Businesses can clean up their processes and products, while governments can enforce air pollution standards, increase monitoring efforts, and promote sustainable practices in various sectors, including energy, transport, housing, and industry.

By working together and implementing solutions at scale, we can effectively reduce air pollution, mitigate climate change, and ultimately save lives. The success of initiatives like the Montreal Protocol, where governments and businesses collaborated to protect the ozone layer, demonstrates that collective action can bring about meaningful change.

99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report stating that 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds its air-quality limits. This means that almost everyone in the world breathes polluted air that threatens their health. The report, released ahead of World Health Day on April 7, 2022, is based on data from over 6,000 cities in 117 countries that are now monitoring air quality. Despite this progress, the majority of these cities still do not comply with the WHO's Air Quality Guidelines.

The report found that people are breathing unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), with those in low and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures. The WHO's eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia regions have the poorest air quality, followed by Africa. The report also noted that fossil fuels are responsible for most of the harmful emissions linked to acute and chronic sickness.

The particulate matter, known as PM2.5, can enter the bloodstream and lead to respiratory and blood-flow problems. The report also included ground measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a common urban pollutant and precursor of particulate matter and ozone. The WHO's database is the most extensive yet in its coverage of air pollution exposure on the ground.

According to the WHO, about 4.2 million people die from exposure to outdoor air pollution, and 3.8 million die from household smoke produced by dirty stoves and fuels. The WHO's mathematical modeling of air pollution data from 80% of the world's urban areas indicates that nearly everyone faces an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung problems due to air pollution. The report calls for tangible steps to curb fossil fuel use and reduce air pollution levels to protect human health and the planet.

WHO provides technical support to member states to address air pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides technical support to its member states in several ways to address air pollution. Firstly, WHO helps member states develop normative guidance, tools, and authoritative advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. This includes the WHO Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model, which assists policymakers and program planners in understanding household air pollution levels and their health impacts. WHO also leads monitoring and reporting on global trends and changes in health outcomes associated with actions taken to tackle air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels. This includes tracking the health impacts of air pollution and synthesizing evidence to inform policy-making.

WHO is a strong advocate for policies and programs aimed at reducing ambient and household air pollution to protect public health at the global, national, and local levels. They actively participate in intergovernmental partnerships and coalitions to address air pollution and ensure that public health impacts are considered in global partnerships. WHO also provides a global perspective on national efforts to improve air quality through regular updates and reports, which are supported by regional reports and country-specific case studies. These reports identify interventions and policy options at the global, regional, and national levels.

WHO promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies, including energy, transport, housing, urban development, and electrification of healthcare facilities. They contribute to climate change mitigation policies and address key risks to health from both indoor and outdoor air pollution. WHO has developed and implemented strategies to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and the solutions to mitigate exposure risks. Through digital outreach and partnerships, WHO has worked with various stakeholders, including health and environment ministries and city governments, to address air pollution effectively.

Additionally, WHO serves as the custodial agency for monitoring SDG indicators related to air pollution exposure (7.1.2 and 11.6.2) and the associated disease burden (3.9.1). The SDG 11.6.2 Working Group, convened by WHO in 2021, further supports reporting and monitoring of SDG 11.6.2, focusing on air quality in cities. WHO also co-convenes the Health and Energy Platform of Action (HEPA) with strong support from partner organizations to address air pollution and its health impacts. These initiatives demonstrate WHO's commitment to providing technical support and guidance to its member states in addressing the pressing issue of air pollution.

Air pollution is caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, among other sources

The combustion of fossil fuels is a major contributor to air pollution. Fossil fuels include natural gas, oil, and coal, and their combustion releases a range of toxic air pollutants and greenhouse gases. These emissions have significant impacts on the environment and human health, particularly the health of children.

The burning of fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, contributing to smog and acid rain formation. Nitrogen oxides are also emitted from transportation and industrial activities. Additionally, the combustion of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide (CO2), a major human-produced greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Methane, released during the production of natural gas, oil, and coal, is another important greenhouse gas. While natural gas emits less toxic air pollution and CO2 compared to other fossil fuels, the drilling, extraction, and transportation processes can lead to methane leakage, which has a much higher heat-trapping potential than CO2.

Furthermore, air pollution from fossil fuel combustion includes pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulates. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas released during the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, factories, and power plants, as well as from burning wood or crop waste. Sulfur dioxide, released from the burning of sulfur-containing materials like coal, oil, and gas, forms sulfuric acid, a component of acid rain. Particulate matter, or aerosols, includes a variety of chemicals and can be primary or secondary pollutants. Secondary pollutants, such as ozone, are created through chemical reactions in the atmosphere due to emissions from power plants, factories, and vehicles.

Vehicle emissions, including primary pollutants like nitric oxide and VOCs, also contribute to air pollution. These pollutants react with sunlight to form ozone, another pollutant in the atmosphere. Additionally, almost all sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere results from human activity, with coal, oil, and gas combustion being significant sources. Lead, a heavy metal, enters the air through ore and metals processing, as well as the burning of leaded fuel.

To address air pollution caused by fossil fuel combustion, businesses and organizations can take several measures. These include managing and reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and purchasing renewable energy. Additionally, individuals can contribute by conserving energy, such as by turning off electrical equipment when not in use and opting for more energy-efficient products. Reducing vehicle usage, carpooling, and utilizing public transportation can also help decrease air pollution from cars.

WHO monitors and reports on global trends and changes in health outcomes related to air pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) is committed to monitoring and reporting on global trends and changes in health outcomes related to air pollution. WHO data shows that 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds the guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures.

WHO monitors the exposure levels and health impacts of air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels, including deaths and DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years). This includes both ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution, with the former estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year in 2019, primarily due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancers. WHO estimates that 68% of these premature deaths were due to ischemic heart disease and stroke, with the remaining caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute lower respiratory infections, and lung cancer.

The organization also provides technical support to its Member States, offering guidance, tools, and advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. WHO has developed strategies to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and the available solutions. They have also created the WHO Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model to assist policymakers and program planners in understanding household air pollution levels and making informed decisions.

WHO's monitoring efforts are crucial for implementing the Global Air Quality Guidelines, which offer guidance on thresholds and limits for key air pollutants. The organization also highlights emerging methods, such as machine learning and geostatistical data fusion, to track progress in reducing air pollution. These methods enable local, provincial, and national authorities to monitor multiple air pollutants and assess the effectiveness of air pollution reduction policies.

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