The Air Quality Index Annual Update 2023 found that if fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) was reduced to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines, the average person would add 2.3 years onto their life expectancy, a combined 17.8 billion life-years saved worldwide.

The report also found that particulate pollution remains the world’s greatest external risk to human health, with the impact on life expectancy comparable to smoking, three times that of alcohol and unsafe water and five times that of transport injuries.

It also found that six countries- Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria and Indonesia- account for three-quarters of air pollution’s impact on life expectancy.

Continue reading on the United Nations Environment Programme…

Areas of Focus: Environment
Definition
Environment
Producing and using energy damages people’s health and the environment. EPIC research is quantifying the social costs of energy choices and uncovering policies that help protect health while facilitating growth.
AQLI
Definition
AQLI
Particulate air pollution is one of the most serious risks to human health globally. To help communicate those risks, the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) converts particulate air pollution into...
Air Pollution
Definition
Air Pollution
Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion poses a grave threat to human health worldwide. EPIC research is using real-world data to calculate the effects of air pollution on human health...