—a staggering 6.76 billion people—are
breathing polluted air, increasing their
risk for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer,
and other chronic health issues, according
to a sobering new report from the World
Health Organization (WHO). The comprehensive
analysis found that 92 percent
of the world’s population lives in areas
where air quality falls below clean-air
standards, with high concentrations of
fine particulate matter emitted primarily
by vehicles, power plants,
and industrial facilities. These
tiny particles are inhaled into
the lungs, but they also enter the
bloodstream, creating inflammation
throughout the body and increasing
the risk for heart disease and stroke.
Air pollution claims roughly 6.5 million
lives each year, the report says.
Most of these deaths occur in China,
India, and other developing countries,
but about 15 percent of cities in the
relatively affluent Americas, including
Los Angeles and New York City, also fail
to meet air quality standards. “Globally,
air pollution presents a major risk to public
health,” study leader Gavin Shaddick
tells The Guardian (U.K.). “A substantial
number of lives could be saved if levels of
air pollution were reduced.”
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