According to the WHO, about 4,000 people die annually from air pollution.
Breathing air below the quality levels considered ideal by the World Health Organization (WHO) is part of the reality of almost the entire world population. The scenario is aggravating and threatens public health, since, according to the entity, 99% of people breathe polluted air on a global scale. About 4 million people die annually from inhaling air pollution, according to the WHO..
Published this Monday, 4th, the report analyzed 6,000 cities in 117 countries between 2010 and 2019. “The WHO Air Quality Database compiles data on soil measurements of mean annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less (PM10) or 2.5 micrometers or less. (PM2.5) that aim to represent an average for the city as a whole”the entity explained in a statement.
AIR POLLUTION CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY AND CARDIOVASCULAR DAMAGE
According to the WHO, these pollutants come mainly from the burning of fossil fuels. And the health effects? These particles are capable of causing respiratory and cardiovascular damage. PM2.5, for example, enters the lung and can reach the bloodstream. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can cause diseases such as asthma..
Although almost the entire world population breathes poor quality air, the greatest exposure is among poorer countries. “The worst air quality can be found in low- and middle-income countries, where only 1% of cities meet the WHO Air Quality Guidelines”the entity said in a statement.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusdirector-general of the WHO, issued an alert for the urgency of seeking clean energy sources. “Current concerns highlight the importance of accelerating the transition to cleaner, healthier energy systems”.
Source: Recreio
