Air pollution caused 8.8 million premature deaths worldwide in 2015. This corresponds to an average reduction in life expectancy per capita of 2.9 years. In comparison, tobacco smoking reduces the life expectancy by an average of 2.2 years (7.2 million deaths), HIV / AIDS by 0.7 years (1 million deaths), parasitic and vector-borne diseases such as malaria — by 0.6 years (600,000 deaths). “Air pollution exceeds malaria as a cause of premature death by a factor of 19; it exceeds violence by a factor of 17 and HIV / AIDS by a factor of 9. Given the huge impact on public health and the global population, one could say that our results indicate an air pollution pandemic,” said Jos Lelieveld, director at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and first author of the study.
This study is the first to examine the global impact of air pollution on human health compared to other risk factors worldwide. “Our comparison of different global risk factors shows that ambient air pollution is a leading cause of premature mortality and loss of life expectancy, in particular through cardiovascular diseases,” says Thomas Münzel, director of the Cardiology Center at the University Medical Center in Mainz and co-author of the paper.
Relationship between pollution and disease
The scientists examined the connection between exposure to pollutants and the occurrence of diseases. In order to calculate the worldwide exposure to pollutants, which primarily include fine particles and ozone, the researchers used an atmospheric chemical mode. They then combined the exposure data with the Global Exposure — Mortality Model that derives from many epidemiological cohort studies. Using these tools and data, scientists investigated the effects of different pollution sources, distinguishing between natural (wildfires, aeolian dust) and anthropogenic emissions, including fossil fuel use. Based on their results they could estimate the disease-specific excess mortality and loss of life expectancy in all countries world-wide.
The study results show that the mortality caused by ambient air pollution is highest in East Asia (35 percent) and South Asia (32 percent), followed by Africa (11 percent), Europe (9 percent) and North- and South America (6 percent). Lowest mortality rates are found in Australia (1,5 percent) associated with the strictest air quality standards of all countries. “We understand more and more that fine particles primarily favor vascular damage and thus diseases such as heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia and heart failure. It is of outmost importance that air pollution is adopted as a cardiovascular risk factor and that it is distinctly mentioned in the ESC/AHA guidelines of prevention, acute and coronary syndromes and heart failure,” continued Münzel.
Avoidable deaths
According to the findings of the study, almost two thirds of the deaths caused by air pollution, namely around 5.5 million a year are avoidable, and the majority of polluted air comes from the use of fossil fuels. The researchers estimate that the average life expectancy world-wide would increase by more than a year if the emissions from the use of fossil fuels were eliminated.
The team from the University Medical Center Mainz and Max Planck Institute for Chemistry published a similar paper last year focusing on the consequences of air pollution in Europe. According to the earlier study, nearly 800,000 Europeans die prematurely every year due to illnesses caused by air pollution. Polluted air shortens the lifespan of Europeans by more than two years.
723331 461005Extremely intriguing topic , regards for putting up. 5339
151854 890866I as well conceive so , perfectly indited post! . 15798
716101 235543Hey there guys, newbie here. Ive lurked about here for a bit although and thought Id take part in! Looks like youve got quite a excellent place here 898439
935403 932567I like this weblog extremely much, Its a rattling good billet to read and uncover info . 945333
198895 232723Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal approach of writing? 887828
363383 959058Id need to verify with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a submit that will make individuals believe. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to remark! 18058
434307 130220Incredibly best man toasts, nicely toasts. is directed building your own by way of the wedding celebration as a result are supposed to try to be witty, amusing and consequently unusual as properly as. very best mans speech 994080
55143 720093Good post, nicely put together. Thanks. I is going to be back soon to take a look at for updates. Cheers 293358
614379 119758 An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think which you ought to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but normally people are not enough to speak on such topics. Towards the next. Cheers 876984
949902 958632Wow, amazing blog layout! How lengthy have you ever been running a weblog for? you make running a blog glance effortless. The total appear of your internet website is magnificent, well the content material! 136853
49825 889037You might locate effective specific development of any L . a . Weight loss program and each and every you are incredibly important. To begin with level is an natural misplacing during the too significantly weight. lose belly fat 986375
443365 327716Good blog here! following reading, i decide to buy a sleeping bag ASAP 507589
646866 682563I havent checked in here for some time as I thought it was acquiring boring, but the last few posts are wonderful quality so I guess Ill add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 196503
63464 470346I agree with most of your points, but several require to be discussed further, I will hold a small talk with my partners and possibly I will appear for you some suggestion soon. 162775
895815 88054To your organization online business owner, releasing an crucial company may be the bread so butter inside of their opportunity, and choosing a fantastic child care company often means the certain between a victorious operation this really is. how to start a daycare 782922
858216 665778Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know some of the pictures arent loading properly. Im not certain why but I feel its a linking concern. Ive tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome. 813861
560392 843595This really is sensible information! Exactly where else will if ind out far more?? Who runs this joint too? sustain the very good work 209017
151332 253393Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read? 399895