Air pollution linked to 135 million premature deaths, researchers claim

A Singapore-led study found that air pollution was linked to 135 million premature deaths worldwide over the past 40 years.

Researchers at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) said high levels of particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) from man-made emissions and other sources like wildfires were associated with early deaths caused by stroke, heart and lung disease, and cancer, from 1980 to 2020.

In a report published in the journal Environment International, the scientists blamed the deaths on PM 2.5, which can enter the bloodstream when inhaled.

Asia, particularly China and India, saw the highest number of premature deaths at 98 million, the study showed. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Japan also recorded signicant death tolls, ranging from two to five million.

Weather patterns suchs as El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole were also found to have intensified the pollutants in the air.

Steve Yim, an associate professor at Nanyang's Asian School of the Environment, said: 'Our findings show that changes in climate patterns can make air pollution worse.

'When certain climate events happen, like El Nino, pollution levels can go up, which means more people might die prematurely because of PM 2.5 pollution.

'This highlights the need to understand and account for these climate patterns when tackling air pollution to protect the health of the global population.'

The study used NASA satellite data to measure fine particulate matter levels in the air, and analysed disease statistics from the US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, while data on weather patterns was obtained from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Professor Joseph Sung, co-author of the study, said: 'By recognising these patterns, healthcare providers can better prepare for potential increases in patients seeking treatment for pollution-related ailments.'