Findings Shows Pollution Is Responsible for 16% of Early Deaths in the World
Simon Fraser University health sciences professor Bruce Lanphear is a Commissioner and author of The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health that has published a report outlining the negative effects of pollution on global health.
"That really is the first global evaluation of the consequences of pollution -- air, water, dirt, occupational -- together as well as researching the financial costs as well as the societal injustice of pollution," states Lanphear. "Pollution, which is at the origin of many diseases and ailments that plague humankind, is completely preventable."
Solutions are featured by the report and recommends how the problem can be solved. It includes examples and case studies of pollution management success.
Commission findings include:
Pollution causes 16 percent of all deaths globally.
Diseases caused by pollution were responsible in 2015 to an estimated 9 million early deaths -- 16 percent of all deaths globally -- three times more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined; and fifteen times more than most wars and other types of violence. It kills more people. It accounts for one in four deaths.
Pollution disproportionately kills the poor and the vulnerable. Almost 92% of pollution-related deaths occur in low- and - middle-income nations. In countries, pollution toll is best in marginalized and poor communities. Children face the highest risks because little exposures to chemicals in utero and in early childhood can lead to premature death, disorder and, disability, as well as learning and earning potential.
Pollution is closely tied to climate change and biodiversity. Fossil fuel combustion in nations and the burning of biomass in nations accounts for 85 percent of airborne particulate contamination. Important emitters of carbon dioxide have been chemical producers, power plants, mining processes, and vehicles. By accelerating the switch to cleaner sources of 8, air pollution will be reduced and enhance health.
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