Particulate pollution is the greatest external threat to human health
More than 99 percent of the world breaths air that does not meet the World Health Organization's PM₂.₅ guideline.
The burden of particulate pollution on life expectancy is comparable to that of tobacco use, 1.3 times that of childhood and maternal malnutrition, 4.4 times that of high alcohol use, 4.6 times that of transport injuries or unsafe water and 6.7 times that of HIV/AIDS.
But it is an even greater and disproportionate threat to life expectancy in certain countries.
For example, in Bangladesh and India particulate pollution is more than twice as deadly as tobacco use.
REGIONAL AND INCOME DISPARITY
Pollution is often highest in countries and regions that are growing, illustrating the tradeoffs countries must consider as they work to balance economic growth and clean air.
The most polluted regions lack the tools to combat pollution, like national air standards
While setting national standards is key to improving air quality, more than three-quarters of countries have not yet set or aren’t meeting a national standard.
The most polluted regions also lack open air quality data, making it difficult for people to understand how polluted their air is
To combat air pollution, countries require data to both allow people to understand the depth of the problem and to provide a guidepost for setting air quality standards and evaluating their progress.
The burden air pollution has on life expectancy is almost entirely felt in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Yet, 40% of these regions don’t provide citizens with information about the air they breathe.