According to the first global air pollution survey, only 0.18% of the Earth’s surface and 0.001% of the world’s population live at levels of pollution considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This work, the first in the world to measure PM2.5 pollution particles, reveals that Europe and North America have reduced their levels of air pollution over the past 20 years, while Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and the Caribbean these have increased.
For decades, the lack of air pollution monitoring stations has made it impossible to obtain data on local, national and global exposure to PM2.5 – the most harmful microparticles to environmental health.
Now a team of scientists led by Yuming Guo of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, has created a map of PM2.5 evolution over the past two decades for the first time, with the results reported Tuesday in “Lancet Planetary Health.” , reported the agency Efe.
In conducting the study, the team used traditional air quality monitoring observations, satellite weather and air pollution detectors, and statistical and artificial intelligence methods to more accurately assess global PM2.5 concentrations.
The study indicates that despite a slight decrease in the number of days with high PM2.5 exposure worldwide, in 2019 more than 70% of days continued with PM2.5 concentrations above 15 µg/m³ [microgramas por metro cúbico].
In South and East Asia alone, more than 90% of days had daily PM2.5 concentrations above 15 µg/m³.
In addition, Australia and New Zealand saw a strong increase in the number of days with high PM2.5 concentrations in 2019.
Globally, the annual average of PM2.5 from 2000 to 2019 was 32.8 µg/m3, according to the study.
These data, in contrast to the WHO 2021 guidelines, show that only 0.18% of the global land area and 0.001% of the world population were exposed in 2019 to annual exposures below this guideline limit (annual average of 5 µg/m³).
The study also shows different seasonal patterns, such as lower levels of pollution in northeastern China and northern India during the winter months (December, January and February) and higher levels of PM2.5 in areas of North America during the winter months. (June, July and August).
“We also recorded relatively high air pollution levels of PM2.5 in South America in August and September and in sub-Saharan Africa in June to September”added Yuming Guo.
For the scientist, it is important to know these data because “they provide in-depth knowledge about the current state of outdoor air pollution and its impact on human health”.
“With this information, policymakers, public health officials and researchers can better assess the short- and long-term health impacts of air pollution and develop strategies to mitigate them.”defended the detective.
Source: DN
