Air pollution becomes top ten global killer

Deaths linked to air pollution have increased by 300 per cent since 2000 according to a new study.

Research released by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) showed that outdoor air pollution has moved up the list to make up one of the world’s top ten killers.

According to the statistics, air pollution causes more than 3.2 million deaths worldwide, an increase from the 800,000 it was deemed to cause in 2000. This constitutes a 300 per cent increase, something the GBD say cannot be ignored.

“The new estimates of particle air pollution are based on ground-level measurements, satellite remote sensing and global chemical transport models to capture population exposure,” the group explained.

Figures gathered in the study revealed that in south Asia, outdoor pollution is ranked as the sixth biggest killer. However, indoor air pollution in the area is significantly worse, ranking as the second biggest killer.

Around two-thirds of the 3.2 million air pollution deaths occur in Asia, with Indian fatalities making up just under a quarter of the total.

As a global killer, outdoor air pollution is now just behind blood pressure, tobacco smoking, indoor pollution, poor nutrition and diabetes.

Anumita Roychowdhury, the Indian Centre for Science and Environment executive director-research and advocacy and head of its air pollution unit said the findings were worrying.

“The GBD count on air pollution and its health risks must trigger urgent, aggressive and most stringent action in India to curb air pollution to protect public health. India cannot afford to enhance health risk at a time when much of its economic growth and motorisation are yet to happen.”

She warned that outdoor air pollution is a great leveller, as no one, regardless of class or status, is able to escape it. However, children and the elderly are most at risk.

“Toxic effects like cancer surface after a long latency period. Therefore, exposure to air pollution will have to be reduced today to reduce the burden of diseases,” she added.

Posted by Claire Manning