WHO warning Air pollution is causing more and more deaths worldwide

WHO examined the number of deaths from decreased air quality
Air pollution is on the rise in most countries around the world. This also causes many health problems for people in these countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2012 alone there were about 6.5 million deaths from the effects of air pollution.

Researchers at the World Health Organization (WHO) found in an investigation that every year many people are killed by the effects of air pollution. In 2012 alone, about 6.5 million deaths seem to have been caused by air pollution. That was about 11.6 percent of the 2012 deaths worldwide. The researchers now published a press release on the results of their investigation.

At the present time, air pollution continues to increase. The resulting diseases are also on the rise. WHO scientists found that there are more and more deaths from the effects of air pollution. (Image: VanderWolf Images / fotolia.com)

We need clean air outdoors, but also in our buildings
The WHO's new air quality model shows that most air pollution deaths occur particularly in East Asia and the West Pacific region. Air pollution has the greatest impact on the health of women, children and older adults, says Drs. Flavia Bustreo from the WHO. It is important for human health to breathe clean air from the first breath to the last breath. This applies to clean air outdoors, but also in rooms of buildings. Because the air pollution in the household endangers every third person.

What diseases can lead to air pollution?
Over 94 percent of air pollution deaths are associated with non-communicable diseases. These include, for example, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, explain WHO experts. The burden of air pollution also increases the risk of acute respiratory infections.

Consequences of air pollution in buildings
Exposure to outdoor air pollution costs about three million lives per year. However, WHO experts point out that both indoor and outdoor air pollution can be deadly. Not only outdoor air pollution kills people, but also indoor air pollution kills thousands of people every year.

Sources of air pollution
The main sources of air pollution include, for example, inefficient modes of transport, household fuels, waste incineration, coal-fired power stations and, in general, industrial activities, the researchers explain. Another study has already shown that coal-based air pollution is the cause of thousands of deaths in Europe. However, human activities are not the only cause of air pollution, say WHO experts. For example, pollution of respiratory air can also be caused by dust storms, especially in regions near deserts.

Monitoring the air quality is getting better
The new model is a big step in the direction of reliable estimates of the large global burden of air pollution and related deaths. One in nine deaths worldwide is caused by the pollution of our indoor and outdoor air, says dr. Maria Neira from the WHO. Air pollution is being monitored in more and more cities, satellite data is becoming more and more comprehensive, and health estimates for the effects of air pollution are also improving, the expert adds.

Where does the data on air pollution come from??
The new air quality model was developed by WHO in collaboration with the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. The incoming data comes from satellite measurements, air transport models and ground stations at more than 3,000 rural and urban sites. (As)