WHO Air Pollution by Region
According to World Health Organization (WHO), 90% of worldwide population is breathing unhealthy air. Air pollution is causing health issue and contribute to near 7 million premature death globally, see below:
Even the major cities worldwide is seeing air quality deteriorating.
Climate change is worsening the air quality...
CDC report* says climate change decreases the quality of the air further. Due to rising temperature, more pollutants and allergens are found in the air.
According to the National Climate Assessment, climate change increases ground-level ozone and/or particulate matter air pollution in some locations. Ground-level ozone (a key component of smog) is associated with many health problems, including diminished lung function, hospital admissions and emergency department with increased visits for asthma, and increases in premature deaths.
More and larger wildfires linked to climate change could also significantly reduce air quality and affect people’s health in a number of ways, such as the Oregon wood fire that burnt 340,000 acres of forest, with smoke blew to 3000KM away..Smoke exposure increases acute (or sudden onset) respiratory illness, respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations, and medical visits for lung illnesses. The frequency of wildfires is expected to increase as drought conditions become more prevalent.
Exposure to allergens causes health problems for many people. When sensitive individuals are simultaneously exposed to allergens and air pollutants, allergic reactions often become more severe. The increase in air pollutants makes the effects of increased allergens associated with climate change even worse. People with existing pollen allergies may have increased risk for acute respiratory effects.
