EXPLORE!

Air Pollution Caused 8.1 Million Deaths Worldwide in 2021, Report Finds

  444 Views

Emedinexus    12 October 2024

A recent report released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) in partnership with UNICEF revealed that air pollution was responsible for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021. India and China bore the brunt, recording 2.1 million and 2.3 million fatalities, respectively.


The report, published on Wednesday, also highlighted the devastating impact of air pollution on children. In India, 169,400 children under the age of five died due to air pollution in 2021. Nigeria followed with 114,100 child deaths, Pakistan with 68,100, Ethiopia with 31,100, and Bangladesh with 19,100.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) deaths related to ozone exposure were particularly high in India, accounting for nearly 50% of global COPD deaths from air pollution, with 237,000 fatalities. China recorded 125,600 COPD deaths, while Bangladesh had 15,000.


Air pollution emerged as the leading risk factor for deaths in South Asia, surpassing high blood pressure, poor diet, and tobacco use. It was the second leading cause of death among children under five globally in 2021, following malnutrition.


The report noted that 2021 saw more deaths linked to air pollution than any previous year. With populations over 1 billion each, India and China accounted for 54% of the total global disease burden due to air pollution. Other countries with significant impacts included Pakistan (256,000 deaths), Bangladesh (236,300), Myanmar (101,600), Indonesia (221,600), Vietnam (99,700), the Philippines (98,209), Nigeria (206,700), and Egypt (116,500).


Air pollution from PM2.5 and ozone were estimated to contribute to about 12% of total global deaths in 2021. PM2.5 pollution alone accounted for 7.8 million deaths. These tiny particles, less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, leading to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and COPD.


The report identified PM2.5 as the most consistent and accurate predictor of poor health outcomes globally. Pallavi Pant, HEI's head of Global Health, emphasized the critical impact of air pollution on vulnerable populations and stated that this new report offers a stark reminder of the significant impacts air pollution has on human health, with far too much of the burden borne by young children, older populations, and low- and middle-income countries.


(Source:https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/air-pollution-claimed-8-1-million-lives-in-2021-globally-2-1-million-in-india-report-632296 )

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.