![Air pollution: 40,000 deaths per year attributed to exposure to fine particles](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2020-10-23/i97179-mortalite-pollution-de-l-air.jpeg)
As part of its “Air and Health” monitoring program, Santé Publique France reports its estimates on the number of deaths attributed to air pollution. Despite a slight decrease observed in recent years as well as occasional decreases in pollution levels linked to the first containment in spring 2020, the institution notes 40,000 deaths per year in France attributable to air pollution for the period 2016-2019. .
40,000 deaths per year attributable to air pollution despite a slight decrease
In 2016, Public Health France estimated the number of premature deaths per year at 48,000 linked to concentrations of fine particles, microscopic matter suspended in the air over the period 2007-2008. This year and as part of its “Air and Health” monitoring program, the institution updated its estimates by reassessing the burden of air pollution on annual mortality in mainland France for the period 2016-2019. It shows that each year, nearly 40,000 deaths are attributable to exposure to fine particles.
A new estimate which suggests a downward trend since the mortality attributed to air pollution fell from 9% for the period 2007-2008 to 7% between 2016 and 2019. However, specialists report that the exposure to these particles, (which can cause cancer, asthma, allergies or cardiovascular diseases) reduces life expectancy by nearly eight months for people aged thirty and over. According to Sébastien Denys, health and work environment director at Public Health France, “ We can be satisfied with the slight decrease. But from a public health perspective, what worries us is an estimate of 40,000 preventable deaths. And I insist on this avoidable term: actions are possible to reduce this impact “.
2,300 deaths averted with the first containment in spring 2020
The results of Public Health France published this Wednesday, April 14, 2021 also highlighted occasional drops in pollution levels in spring 2020. The data show, in fact, that the impact of the first containment relating to the Covid-19 epidemic has helped prevent around 2,300 air pollution-related deaths. And for good reason, the public health agency reports that this containment measure “ unprecedented “Led to” a massive slowdown in the activity and movement of the population ”and thus to a reduction in pollution, especially in urban areas. In addition, this estimate confirms that “proactive action on reducing particulate matter emissions in the air results in a significant reduction in the impact of atmospheric pollution on health, and mortality in particular. “.
Identify the most effective solutions
Public Health France thus calls for ” draw the best lessons from this period of confinement to identify the most effective solutions in terms of reducing levels of atmospheric pollution so as to sustainably reduce the impact on health “. The institution shares several avenues to be put in place in order to sustainably pursue reduction efforts on all sources of pollution. “ In terms of public actions, reducing traffic in urban areas or reducing industrial emissions are effective levers already deployed or in the process of being deployed. In terms of behavioral changes, teleworking or changes in modes of travel are likely to be perpetuated within French society. “.
The institution also mentioned other avenues of action such as improving practices in the use of wood heating (use of efficient appliances, choice of good quality fuels, ignition from above, etc.), development of good agricultural practices to reduce ammonia emissions or even thermal renovation of housing.