The WHO study found that with each inhalation, invisible hydrogen dioxide from vehicles, construction equipment, factories, etc, deep into our lungs, irritating sensitive tissues, causing allergies, inflammation, asthma and reducing their function.
Only 23% of people in 4.000 cities breathe air where NO2 levels are within WHO limits, with the highest NO2 concentrations recorded in the Mediterranean.
The airborne particles we breathe in, especially those of 2.5 µm, are capable of getting deep into the lungs, entering the bloodstream and causing heart, brain and respiratory problems. There is growing evidence that particulate matter also affects other organs causing other diseases.
A newer study by the Swiss company IQAir, has shown that no country will meet the WHO air quality requirements of 2.5μm in 2021.
It is a worrying fact that no major city or country offers safe and healthy air to its citizens. As the study highlights, we have a lot of work to do to ensure that everyone has safe and clean air to breathe. "The time to act is now."
The WHO estimates that an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths in 2016 were caused by PM2.5 particulate matter.
"Current energy concerns highlight the importance of accelerating the transition to a cleaner energy system. High fossil fuel prices, energy security and the need to urgently address air pollution and climate change underscore the need to move faster towards a world less dependent on fossil fuels," said the WHO Director-General.
The same research also showed that higher income countries have lower particulate pollution, yet most cities have problems with nitrogen dioxide.
"After surviving the pandemic, it is unacceptable that there are still 7 million preventable deaths and countless lost years of good health that can be avoided due to air pollution. This is what we say when we look at the mountain of data, evidence and solutions available on air pollution. Yet too many investments are still mired in a polluted environment rather than clean, healthy air," said the Director of WHO's Environment, Climate Change and Health Division.
Source: skai.gr
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