WHO Finds 99 Percent of Global Population Breathes Air that Exceeds Guidelines
A woman wearing a mask during her daily exercises amidst a thick fog in Fuyang, Anhui Province. Photo: Reuters via The Atlantic
Air pollution poses a major threat to human health, causing 7 million premature deaths. Recent WHO data finds that 99 percent of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits containing high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposure. WHO calls for a larger shift toward green energy and city-wide efforts to address the global public health crisis.
From smog in cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a serious threat to health and climate. Air pollution is responsible for millions of premature deaths per year, and is the leading cause of noncommunicable diseases in adults, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
The WHO report revealed global health inequities with air pollution health consequences disproportionately affecting women, children, old persons, and low-income populations exposed to high levels of ambient air pollution or exposures within the workplace or household. “Air pollution is a threat to health in all countries, but it hits people in low- and middle-income countries the hardest,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The health inequities and their adverse impacts are predominantly socioeconomic, highlighting the need to address social determinants of health to reduce the health impact of air pollution.
COVID-19 lockdowns brought rapid improvements in air quality in many parts of the world, with city smog disappearing overnight. The reduction of air pollution during COVID-19 lockdowns highlights that decreasing air pollution is achievable. Lockdown events reduced the concentration of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels by between 31 and 64 percent in different countries. The decrease in air pollution was largely due to reductions in transportation sector emissions. While reducing economic activity to a lockdown state is impractical, ‘business as usual’ exacerbates global pollutant emissions and air pollution. Experts call for broader shifts toward greener energy and city-level initiatives to promote public transportation, pedestrian, and cycling activity.
New York built more than 250 bike lanes to promote cycling as a form of sustainable transportation. Photo: Shravya Kag/ New York Times
“The best way to reduce air pollution is to stop burning fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels contributes to climate change and generates high levels of pollutants that end up in our lungs. Changing the policy around which sources of energy we are using will be the most effective solution,” said Dr. Maria Neira, director of the Department of Public Health and Environment at the WHO. She urges the use of legislation to enforce WHO regulations.
More concrete examples include city-wide efforts to promote sustainable public transportation, reduce the use of private vehicles, promote more efficient use of buildings, and reduce traffic congestion, which all have immediate positive outcomes. Cities around the world are working to limit air pollution and smog. Paris has barred high pollutant vehicles from entering the city center, reclaiming road space for trees and pedestrians, and expanded its network of bike lanes.
New York City plans to introduce a congestion charge in 2023 for drivers in the Midtown Manhattan area to keep cars off the road. The expected $15 billion raised through congestion funds will be invested in the public transportation system. Meanwhile, Seoul, Republic of Korea, announced plans to create the first “wind path forest,” planting trees close together along rivers and roads to channel air into the city center. The forest will absorb particulate matter and promote breezes through the city. Seoul hopes to increase green space by 30 percent and make sustainable modes of transport account for 80 percent of trips.