September 28, 2016.
Atmospheric pollution is the daily life of 92% of the planet’s inhabitants and, each year, this poor air quality is responsible for 3 million deaths. WHO is sounding a wake-up call to world leaders.
Outdoor pollution kills three million people every year
92% of the world’s population live in places where air quality levels do not meet the limits set by the WHO. This is the painful observation established by the World Health Organization (WHO), in a report published Tuesday, September 27. The permanence of this pollution throughout the world would be responsible for many diseases and the death of three million people each year.
Air pollution is not the only one responsible for these consequences on the life expectancy of the planet and the WHO also highlights the harmful impact of indoor pollution. In 2012, notes the organization, “ 6.5 million deaths (or 11.6% of deaths worldwide) were associated with outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution “. An assessment which, to a large extent, can be observed in poor countries since, according to WHO data, nearly 90% of air pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Women, children and the elderly bear the brunt of pollution
” Air pollution continues to weigh heavily on the health of the most vulnerable populations “, Notes Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General at WHO, in a press release, which indicates that women, children and the elderly are particularly affected by this phenomenon. ” To be healthy, you need to breathe clean air, from the first to the last breath », She adds again.
One of the main sources of air pollution is inefficient modes of transportation, household fuels, waste combustion, coal-fired power plants and industrial activities. In September 2015, world leaders set a target in the Sustainable Development Goals of significantly reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from air pollution by 2030.
In May 2016, WHO approved a new roadmap to strengthen action on air pollution and its causes. The roadmap calls on the health sector to intensify monitoring of air pollution at local level, assess health consequences and play a greater leadership role in national policies affecting air pollution.
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