New data shows that the pollutants behind millions of preventable deaths taint the air most of us breathe.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution has an impact at a lower level than previously thought.
According to an analysis of air pollution data covering more than 6,000 cities in over 100 countries, 99 percent of the world's population now breathes air that does not meet safety guidelines. This covers 80 percent of the world.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) from vehicles, construction equipment, industrial boilers, power plants, and so on, flows into our lungs with each breath. It can cause inflammation, allergies, and asthma in our airway tissues, and reduce lung function.
NO 2 increases the risk of asthma in children. Even with short term exposure, it has been associated with lower weight in newborns.
Fine particulate matter (PM) is carried by the air, made up of many different substances, including natural desert dust, as well as all sorts of pollutants from microplastics, cooking fires, industry, agricultural activities, burning fossil fuels, and wildfires. WHO monitors particulate matter with diameters equal or smaller than 10 or 2.5.
According to the WHO, particulate matter is capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular (stroke) and respiratory impacts.
While developing nations still struggle with particulate matter to a greater extent than wealthy nations, that difference is not clear when it comes to NO 2
The highest concentrations of NO 2 are found in the Mediterranean, and only 23 percent of people worldwide breathe NO 2 levels that are within WHO guidelines.
Shocking! 99% - or almost the entire world's population breathes air with unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter & nitrogen dioxide, and threatens their health.
More: https://t.co/Llaj2wHk0V #HealthierTomorrow pic.twitter.com/QlHUP4iyS4
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 4, 2022
IQAir found that no country met WHO's air quality guidelines for PM 2.5 in 2021.
The US experienced a spike in PM 2.5 air pollution compared to 2020 due to climate change-driven wildfires. The US city with the worst air pollution was Los Angeles.
Many cities in China showed improvement in air quality last year, but they still have a long way to go. There are additional challenges around cooking and heating fires in developing countries.
According to the latest World Health Organization air quality guideline, no major city or country is providing safe and healthy air to their citizens.
This report shows how much work still needs to be done to ensure that everyone has safe, clean and healthy air to breathe. The time for action is now.
Almost all of us face an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and cancer because of pollutants. 4.2 million premature deaths were caused by outdoor pollution in 2016 according to the WHO.
Fossil fuels produce the most harmful emissions linked to both acute and chronic sickness, as well as exacerbating conditions thattrigger greater natural pollutants like bushfires and dust storms. The organization wants widespread and systemic reductions in their use.
The solutions are the same as those we need to apply to tackle the climate crisis, such as switch to electric vehicles, use more public transport, and convert to renewable energy.
The importance of speeding up the transition to cleaner, healthier energy systems is highlighted by current energy concerns.
The pressing need to move faster towards a world that is less dependent on fossil fuels is underscored by high fossil fuel prices, energy security, and the urgent need to address the twin health challenges of air pollution and climate change.
Fossil fuels are still viewed as the most convenient form of energy, despite cheaper, healthier options, as new data shows that most of us are at risk of health every day to pay for them.
The WHO has an air quality report.
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