Air Pollution Is Cutting Global Life Expectancy

Overall impact of air pollution around the globe continues to worsen, studies have shown that the air quality today has cut the global life expectancy by 2 years. Outdoor air pollution from particulate matter was assessed in this study, these tiny particles linger longer in the air than heavy particles meaning people are more likely to inhale them, and due to their size they can go deep into the lungs and possibly enter the circulatory system.

PM2.5 air pollution exposure and its consequences were measured in 185 countries using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study which measures mortality caused by diseases, injuries, and risk factors; then the team looked at life expectancy of each country and global effect. Results revealed that air pollution cut life expectancy by an average of 4 months in the USA and the UK, 9 months in Russia, 1.5 years in India, 2 years in Egypt, and 1 year off of global life expectancy.

Air pollution in Northern regions of China cut down average lifespan by 3.1 years, which is 46% higher than South China. North China residents use free coal during winter months to power indoor heating systems, even though long term exposure to smog from the coal powered burners has been proven to be dangerous to health in many studies.

The UN Environment Programme has reported a global campaign Breathe Life that aims to address global air pollution is in the works being led by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the World Health Organization, and the UN Environment to put together public health and climate change expertise with guidance on implementing solutions to air pollution, involving 38 cities, regions, and countries, reaching 80+ million people.

This campaign believes that instituting policies and programs will reduce transport and energy emission; and promoting use of clean energy in cities will change and improve lives of people. Use of renewable energy is on the rise, and will make a difference, investments in new renewable sources are surpassing fossil fuel investments.

Latest air quality database by W.H.O estimate that 97% of cities in low and middle income countries with over 100,000 residents do not meet W.H.O air quality guidelines; that falls to 48% of high income countries as most big cities struggle to keep air pollution within acceptable levels set out in the W.H.O guidelines.