A few hours of spiking air pollution ‘raises death risk’
A few hours of spiking air pollution 'raises death risk' Eco-Business
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More than a Million People Die Every Year Due to Air Pollution, with Asia Bearing the Brunt
According to researchers, more than a million people die annually as a result of short-term exposure to high levels of air pollution, with Asia accounting for nearly two-thirds of all deaths.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasized:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, reveals that breathing in tiny particles in the air for just a few hours or up to a few days leads to over 1 million premature deaths each year. The majority of these deaths occur in Asia and Africa, with urban areas accounting for 23% of the total.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution exposure causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths annually, representing one in eight deaths worldwide. Low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of this burden.
Previous studies have primarily focused on the long-term health impacts of pollution in cities, neglecting the frequent “spikes” in pollution from fires, dust, and other irregular extreme air pollution events in smaller urban areas.
However, researchers from Monash University in Australia conducted a study specifically examining the mortality burden associated with short-term exposure to ultra-small particulates known as PM2.5 in over 13,000 cities and towns worldwide between 2000 and 2019.
“
The number of deaths attributable to air pollution is staggering and yet the issue remains unresearched and underfunded – with developing countries carrying most of the burden.
Pete Baker, Deputy Director of the Global Health Policy Programme, Center for Global Development
Yuming Guo, professor of global environmental health and health biostatistics at Monash University and leader of the study, highlighted the importance of their research: “Unlike previous studies that primarily concentrate on long-term exposure (annual averages), our research sheds light on the immediate impacts of daily fluctuations in air pollution. This highlights a crucial oversight in earlier assessments, which underestimated the mortality burden linked to PM2.5 by approximately 1 million deaths.”
According to the study, Asia accounted for approximately 65% of global mortality due to short-term PM2.5 exposure, followed by Africa (17%), Europe (12%), and the Americas (6%). The highest mortality burden was observed in crowded, highly polluted areas in eastern Asia, southern Asia, and western Africa.
The researchers estimated daily PM2.5 concentrations globally and integrated this data with population density, mortality rates, and the relative risk of mortality associated with air pollution. This comprehensive approach allowed them to accurately calculate the mortality burden attributable to daily air pollution.
Guo emphasized that the severity of air pollution in Asia and Africa is exacerbated by their high population density, resulting in a more pronounced health problem in these regions.
Risk Mitigation
The researchers argue that direct measures to reduce air pollution are imperative. However, mitigating the health impacts of existing pollution is also crucial. They advocate for a concerted effort involving individual actions, community engagement, and governmental policies to reduce pollution. Initiatives such as transitioning to clean energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and implementing measures to curtail vehicle and industrial emissions are recommended.
In order to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution, the researchers suggest several strategies, including limiting outdoor activities during periods of high pollution, utilizing air purifiers indoors, and wearing appropriate face masks when outdoors.
Pete Baker, Deputy Director of the Global Health Policy Programme and Policy Fellow at the Center for Global Development, who was not involved in the research, supports these recommendations and emphasizes the need for greater recognition of the impact of air pollution on health. He stated, “The number of deaths attributable to air pollution is staggering and yet the issue remains unresearched and underfunded – with developing countries carrying most of the burden. Governments and the health sector have been slow to act on this encroaching pandemic.”
This article was originally published on SciDev.Net. Read the original article.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Indicator: Number of deaths attributable to air pollution.
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- Indicator: Mortality burden attributable to short-term exposure to PM2.5 in urban areas.
-
SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- Indicator: Mortality burden attributable to short-term exposure to PM2.5 in different regions (Asia, Africa, Europe, Americas).
Analysis
-
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article highlights the health impacts of short-term exposure to air pollution, specifically focusing on the mortality burden associated with PM2.5 particles. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. The target 3.9 of SDG 3, which aims to reduce deaths and illnesses from air pollution, is directly relevant to the issues discussed in the article. The number of deaths attributable to air pollution serves as an indicator to measure progress towards this target.
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article emphasizes the impact of air pollution on urban areas, with more than a fifth of premature deaths occurring in urban areas. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities. Target 11.6 of SDG 11 specifically addresses air quality in cities and aims to reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities. The mortality burden attributable to short-term exposure to PM2.5 in urban areas can be used as an indicator to track progress towards this target.
-
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions the global scale of PM2.5 concentrations and the integration of air pollution data with population density and mortality rates. This aligns with SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Target 13.2 of SDG 13 focuses on integrating climate change measures into national policies and planning. The mortality burden attributable to short-term exposure to PM2.5 in different regions (Asia, Africa, Europe, Americas) can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards this target.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of deaths attributable to air pollution. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Mortality burden attributable to short-term exposure to PM2.5 in urban areas. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Mortality burden attributable to short-term exposure to PM2.5 in different regions (Asia, Africa, Europe, Americas). |
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Source: eco-business.com
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