Report, published by Health Effects Institute, a US-based research organization, in partnership with UNICEF, presents information on exposures to and health impacts of exposure to common air pollutants including fine particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, from 1990–2021.

Key highlights of the report

• Globally, air pollution accounted for the 2nd largest risk factor of death (8.1 million deaths) in 2021, after High blood pressure.
• 99% of the world’s population lives in places with unhealthy levels of PM2.5 pollution. 
  • PM2.5 refers to airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers (μm) in diameter.
• Populations from low- and middle- income countries are exposed to 1.3—4 times higher levels of ambient PM2.5.
• Air pollution also worsened the COVID-19 outcomes by compromising immune systems, causing inflammation and oxidative stress in lungs, etc.

Health risks of Air pollution in India

• India and China together accounted for 54% of the total global disease burden linked to air pollution.
• Nearly 50% of all ozone-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) deaths were in India in 2021.