Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances, such as gases, particulates, and biological molecules, in the Earth’s atmosphere. Air pollution can have serious negative impacts on human health, as well as the environment. It has been linked to a wide range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other illnesses.
According to the study, fine particulate matter is responsible for an additional 1.5 million premature deaths each year.
According to the World Health Organization, over 4.2 million people die prematurely each year due to long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution, also known as PM2.5. However, a recent study involving researchers from McGill University suggests that this number may be underestimated. The study found that mortality risk was increased even at very low levels of PM2.5levels that were previously not considered dangerous. These microscopic toxins can cause a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as cancers.
“We found that outdoor PM2.5 may be responsible for as many as 1.5 million additional deaths around the globe each year because of effects at very low concentrations that were not previously appreciated,” said Scott Weichenthal, an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health at McGill University and the lead author on the recent paper in DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo3381
