It threatens us all: How dirty air became the world’s silent killer
10 April 2024 • Article Summary
Topic: Air Quality, Indoor Air Quality
The Telegraph
Air pollution is a major global problem, causing more deaths than AIDS and malaria combined. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable; 60 per cent of the air pollution-related deaths that occurred in 2019 were among children under 15 years and adults over 70 years. In addition poor and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by dirty air, especially in the Global South. Nevertheless, 98% of Europeans still live in areas where WHO PM2.5 standards are exceeded. Hence, efforts to monitor and address air pollution levels are needed worldwide to protect public health.
Quote:
“Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalised people bear the brunt of the burden,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General