Air Pollution Causes Nearly 2,000 Child Deaths Daily: Report

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Exposure to air pollution contributed to the deaths of 8.1 million people, approximately 12% of all fatalities, in 2021, according to a report from the US-based Health Effects Institute (HEI). The report underscores the alarming impact of air pollution on global health, highlighting that it has overtaken tobacco use and poor diet to become the second leading risk factor for early death, trailing only high blood pressure.

The report reveals that nearly 2,000 children die daily from health issues linked to air pollution, making it a significant risk factor for early mortality worldwide. HEI partnered with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to produce the annual State of Global Air report, which sheds light on the severe consequences of air pollution on young children.

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The report found that air pollution was responsible for the deaths of over 700,000 children under the age of five in 2021. More than 500,000 of these deaths were linked to indoor cooking with dirty fuels such as coal, wood, or dung, primarily in Africa and Asia. "These are problems we know that we can solve," said Pallavi Pant, HEI's head of global health, emphasizing the potential for mitigating these risks.

According to the report, nearly every person worldwide breathes unhealthy levels of air pollution daily. Over 90% of these deaths were associated with PM2.5, tiny airborne pollutants measuring 2.5 micrometres or less. Inhaling PM2.5 increases the risk of several severe health issues, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The report linked disease rates to air pollution levels, yet Pant noted that the actual impact might be even greater, as the report did not account for potential effects on brain health, neurodegenerative diseases, or the impact of using solid fuels for heating.

Ozone pollution, exacerbated by climate change, was also linked to nearly 500,000 deaths in 2021. Events like wildfires, dust storms, and extreme heat, which are expected to become more frequent due to global warming, can drive up ozone levels, leading to short, intense episodes of air pollution. Pant emphasized that solutions for both climate change and air pollution are often similar, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Efforts to reduce the use of dirty solid fuels for cooking indoors have shown progress, particularly in China. More than two billion people still cook on basic stoves or over open fires, inhaling harmful smoke. However, the rate of small children dying from air pollution-related issues has fallen by over 50% since 2000, partly due to improved access to cleaner cookstoves. In May, the International Energy Agency announced a $2.2 billion pledge by governments and companies to enhance access to safer cooking methods.

The report, which utilized data from over 200 countries and territories through the Global Burden of Disease study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, highlights the profound impact of air pollution on the next generation. "Every day, almost 2,000 children under five years die because of health impacts linked to air pollution," said UNICEF's Kitty van der Heijden, stressing the urgent need for action.

This comprehensive analysis underscores the critical need for global efforts to combat air pollution and protect vulnerable populations, particularly young children, from its devastating effects.

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