Short-term exposure to high levels of air pollution kills 1 million globally every year
Short-term exposure to high levels of air pollution kills 1 million globally every year Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
sdgtalks
Short-Term Exposure to High Levels of Air Pollution Kills 1 Million People Globally Every Year
To date, most studies have focused on the health impacts of living in cities where pollution levels are consistently high, ignoring the frequent “spikes” in pollution that can impact smaller urban areas due to events such as landscape fires, dust, and other intermittent extreme air pollution concentration events.
The Monash University study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, examines mortality and pollution levels of PM2.5 in over 13,000 cities and towns worldwide from 1999 to 2019.
Led by Professor Yuming Guo, this study is significant because it is the first to investigate short-term exposure to air pollution on a global scale, rather than focusing on the long-term effects of persistent exposure in highly polluted cities.
Key Findings:
- More than one million premature deaths occur worldwide each year due to short-term exposure to PM2.5
- 22.74% of these deaths occur in urban areas
- Asia accounts for approximately 65.2% of global mortality
- Africa accounts for 17.0%
- Europe accounts for 12.1%
- The Americas account for 5.6%
- Oceania accounts for 0.1%
The study reveals that the mortality burden is highest in densely populated, highly polluted areas in eastern Asia, southern Asia, and western Africa. The fraction of deaths attributable to short-term PM2.5 exposure in eastern Asia is more than 50% higher than the global average.
Australia has seen a small decrease in the number of attributable deaths in most areas. However, the attributable death fraction has increased from 0.54% in 2000 to 0.76% in 2019, which is higher than any other subregion. This may be due to the increasing frequency and scale of extreme weather-related air pollution events, such as bushfires in 2019.
The study recommends implementing targeted interventions in areas where health is most affected by acute air pollution. These interventions include air pollution warning systems and community evacuation plans to avoid transient exposure to high PM2.5 concentrations and mitigate its acute health damages.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implications:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – The study highlights the significant health impacts of short-term exposure to air pollution, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to protect human health.
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The findings emphasize the importance of addressing air pollution in urban areas, where a significant portion of premature deaths occur.
- Goal 13: Climate Action – The study highlights the role of extreme weather events, such as bushfires, in exacerbating air pollution and its health impacts.
Written by
Materials provided by Monash University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Wenhua Yu, Rongbin Xu, Tingting Ye, Michael J Abramson, Lidia Morawska, Bin Jalaludin, Fay H Johnston, Sarah B Henderson, Luke D Knibbs, Geoffrey G Morgan, Eric Lavigne, Jane Heyworth, Simon Hales, Guy B Marks, Alistair Woodward, Michelle L Bell, Jonathan M Samet, Jiangning Song, Shanshan Li, Yuming Guo.
Estimates of global mortality burden associated with short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2·5). The Lancet Planetary Health, 2024; 8 (3): e146 DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00003-2
Website
This article was originally published by Science Daily on 5 March 2024.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the health impacts of short-term exposure to air pollution in urban areas. This connects to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It also relates to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, the article mentions the impact of extreme weather-related air pollution events, such as bushfires, indicating a connection to SDG 13, which addresses climate action.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
The article highlights the need to reduce deaths caused by short-term exposure to air pollution, aligning with SDG 3.9. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing air quality in urban areas, which relates to SDG 11.6. Furthermore, the mention of extreme weather-related air pollution events connects to the need for climate resilience and adaptation, as stated in SDG 13.1.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:
- Number of premature deaths occurring worldwide due to short-term exposure to PM2.5
- Fraction of deaths attributable to short-term PM2.5 exposure in different regions
- Changes in the number of attributable deaths over time
- Implementation of targeted interventions, such as air-pollution warning systems and community evacuation plans
These indicators can be used to assess progress in reducing deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution (SDG 3.9), improving air quality in urban areas (SDG 11.6), and strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards (SDG 13.1).
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 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 premature deaths occurring worldwide due to short-term exposure to PM2.5 – Changes in the number of attributable deaths over time |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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. | – Fraction of deaths attributable to short-term PM2.5 exposure in different regions – Implementation of targeted interventions, such as air-pollution warning systems and community evacuation plans |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Implementation of targeted interventions, such as air-pollution warning systems and community evacuation plans to mitigate acute health damages caused by extreme weather-related air pollution events |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: gavi.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
