Air pollution represents the single greatest environmental risk to human health and is linked to nearly 7 million premature deaths every year, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO estimates show that as many as 89 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, primarily in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific—regions considered among the most polluted in the world. The most affected countries include Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, and Mongolia.
Particularly alarming is the fact that half of all deaths in 2020 were associated with indoor air pollution—most often caused by cooking and heating with coal, wood, and biomass. Women and children were the most vulnerable, including more than 237,000 children under the age of five.
The most dangerous pollutants are fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which, due to their small size, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
More:
- Austria’s Largest Battery Storage Facility Commissioned
- Japan Against Tsunamis – 400 Kilometers of Concrete and 9 Million Trees
- Google Publishes First Detailed Report on Energy Consumption of Its AI Applications
History shows how devastating the consequences can be. During the Great London Smog of 1952, pollution caused by coal burning led to more than 12,000 premature deaths in just a few days. Research also indicates that poor air quality threatened human health even in ancient times—lungs of ancient Egyptian mummies showed signs of damage caused by airborne particles, according to IQAir.
Today, the main sources of air pollution include emissions from transport, power plants, industry, agricultural residue burning, and wildfires. In households, inefficient heating and cooking systems pose additional risks. Studies show that in India alone, the number of deaths increases by around 1.5 million each year due to long-term exposure to polluted air.
Experts warn that the pattern is clear: strong measures save lives. Transitioning to clean transport, energy-efficient stoves, better indoor ventilation, and renewable energy sources could significantly reduce premature deaths and extend the life expectancy of millions of people—but only if action is taken in time.
Energy portal
