Key points from article :
Nearly every person on Earth is breathing harmful air pollution.
Unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are being inhaled.
Every year, 4.2 million deaths occur due to outdoor air pollution and 3.8 million deaths due to smoke from homes.
17% of cities in high-income countries fall below WHO guidelines for PM2.5 or PM10.
People in low and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures.
Particulate matter can cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems, as well as cancer.
NO2 is associated with respiratory diseases.
“7 million preventable deaths and countless preventable lost years of good health due to air pollution,” - Maria Neira, WHO Director.
Steps to reduce air pollution: clean energy for cooking, heating and lighting in homes, public transport and pedestrian/cycle-friendly networks, and stricter vehicle emission standards.
“..need to move towards a world that is much less dependent on fossil fuels,” - Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
