Scientists have named countries where people lose more years of life due to dirty air
People living in Asian countries suffer the most on the planet due to polluted air. In Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan the population loses 5 years of life only because of PM2.5 particles. In Russia, with the reduction of these particles, the life expectancy of the population can increase by 6 months. This is stated in the annual Air Quality Index" (AQLI), which was made by scientists at the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago (EPIC).The scientists worked with data for the year 2021. The report found that if the level of hazardous particles in the air were reduced to the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the average life expectancy worldwide would increase by 2.3 years.
The scientists concluded that particulate pollution is the biggest risk to human health (2.3 years). At the same time smoking reduces life expectancy by 2.2 years, malnutrition - by 1.6 years, alcohol - by 7.2 months, unsafe water and sanitation - 7.2 months.
According to Alexander Zakondyrin, Chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, PM2.5 particles are harmful to human health, as they are able to overcome natural protective barriers, get directly into the bloodstream, affect the cardiovascular system and human respiration.
AQLI director Krista Hasenkopf said China, which also leads the world in air pollution, has made remarkable progress in combating the problem, but the trend in other countries is going in the opposite direction. Speaking to Reuters, she added that PM2.5 levels in South Asia have risen by nearly 10 percent since 2013, which has already reduced average life expectancy in the region by about five years. Also, rising energy consumption in Central and West Africa can cause serious health damage, such as HIV, AIDS and malaria.