Air pollution, from human emissions or other sources such as forest fires, is associated with an estimated 135 million premature deaths worldwide between 1980 and 2020, according to a University of Singapore study published Monday, June 10. .
Weather phenomena such as El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, another natural climate phenomenon resulting from a difference in sea surface temperatures, have worsened the effects of pollutants by increasing their concentration in the air, explains Nanyang Technological University. (NTU) in Singapore.
The problem of fine particles “has been associated with approximately 135 million premature deaths worldwide” between 1980 and 2020, the university says in a press release about the study, published by the journal Environment International.
Fine particles
PM2.5 fine particles (less than 2.5 microns in diameter) are harmful to human health if inhaled because they are small enough to reach the blood system. They come from vehicles and industrial emissions, as well as from natural sources such as fires or dust storms.
The study found that these people were dying younger than the typical life expectancy due to diseases that could have been treated or prevented, including strokes, heart and lung diseases, and cancers. Meteorological phenomena contributed to increasing these deaths by 14%, according to the study.
The risk of climate change
Asia has the “highest number of premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 pollution”, with more than 98 million deaths, mainly in China and India, it states. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Japan also have many premature deaths, between two and five million people.
The study is one of the most comprehensive to date on air quality and climate, drawing on 40 years of data to provide an overview of the health effects of fine particles.
“Our findings show that changes in climate can worsen air pollution,” said Steve Yim, associate professor at NTU’s Asian School of Environment, who led the study.
“When certain weather events occur, such as El Niño, pollution levels can increase, meaning more people can die prematurely from PM2.5 pollution,” Yim said.
Researchers from universities in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and China participated in the study. According to the World Health Organization, the “combined effects of ambient and indoor air pollution” are linked to 6.7 million premature deaths each year worldwide.
Source: BFM TV
