Every year, seven million people die from air pollution

Killing polluted air now more people than the use of tobacco?

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the ever-increasing global air pollution kills seven million people every year and damages the health of billions. This would mean that air pollution could now have a greater impact than the use of tobacco.

Air pollution has become so dramatic that every year about seven million people die of it. In their press release, WHO experts call for effective action to be taken to stem ever-increasing levels of air pollution.

Air pollution is known to increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Every year, seven million people die from the effects of polluted air. (Image: martin33 / fotolia.com)

Every day, billions of people breathe poisonous air

More than 90 percent of the world's population suffer from toxic air pollution, which has a dramatic impact on human health. Children are particularly affected. The dangers of tobacco consumption have been well contained worldwide. Now it is time to take action to tackle polluted air similarly, before air pollution, because of its deadly consequences, becomes something of a new tobacco, because the poisonous air is inhaled by billions of people every day, says the Director-General of WHO. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Children and babies are particularly at risk

No matter if people are rich or poor, no one can escape the dangerous effects of air pollution. Children and babies whose bodies are still in development are most affected by the poisonous air. At present, 300 million people live in places where levels of polluted air are six times higher than international standards.

Many air pollution deaths are preventable

Despite the epidemic of unnecessary, preventable deaths and disabilities, the risk of global air pollution is often not taken seriously enough. People should ask themselves what we actually do to our children through the polluted air. The answer to this is shockingly clear: the polluted air is jeopardizing the future of our children and this should be a big concern for all, explains the WHO Director of Public Health and the Environment. Maria Neira.

Air pollution causes heart attacks and lung disease

In many urban areas, there is so much air pollution that causes more deaths than tobacco. Air pollution causes severe damage, such as cancer, heart attacks and lung disease, which could only be the tip of the iceberg, according to the experts.