135 Million Deaths From Pollution Alone

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has led to 135 million deaths from pollution between 1980 and 2020, showing the urgent need for cleaner infrastructure and energy production to protect global health

I have been widely discussing climate change’s and pollution’s health consequences on human populations. Usually, I use this knowledge to argue that, whether we trust climate change science or not, opting for cleaner infrastructure and energy production comes with a myriad of benefits.

However, just like me, you may have been wondering what is the actual toll that pollution has caused on human health. Even more, how many deaths can be attributed to pollution? Well, a team of scientists has some answers for us, but they look rather scary.

Fine particulate matter, often called PM2.5, consists of tiny particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These particles are so small that they can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, where they can cause serious health issues. Think of that malaise feeling when walking in a polluted metropolis. Sources of PM2.5 include vehicle emissions, industrial processes, wildfires, and natural events like dust storms.

Because of their size, PM2.5 particles can bypass the body’s natural defenses, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Unfortunately, these are always the most affected groups. But in this case, it includes me too, a long-life sufferer of lung diseases.

As you may be able to guess, especially considering the infographic above, PM2.5 is a major concern for global health. A recent study, led by researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, sheds light on the massive impact of PM2.5 on global health over the past four decades. The study, published in Environment International, reveals that PM2.5 pollution was responsible for approximately 135 million premature deaths between 1980 and 2020.

A Hundred and Thirty-Five Million.

Let me write it again so that it sinks: A Hundred and Thirty-Five Million.

The NTU study highlights the severe health impacts of PM2.5 pollution. It estimates that around 135 million premature deaths occurred due to exposure to fine particulate matter. That is, if it wasn’t for pollution, these people wouldn’t have died or would be around for longer.

Just a little note; premature deaths refer to those that happen earlier than expected due to preventable or treatable causes, including diseases triggered or worsened by environmental factors like air pollution.

The researchers found that many of these deaths were related to specific health conditions. About a third of the premature deaths were due to strokes (33.3%) and ischemic heart disease (32.7%). Other major contributors included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower respiratory infections, and lung cancer. These are very debilitating conditions, I can attest.

The study also explores how climate variability influences air pollution and its health impacts. The researchers focused on three major climate phenomena: El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). These climate patterns affect weather conditions, which in turn can impact air quality (yup, Pollution and Climate Change often go hand-in-hand).

For instance, during El Niño events, temperatures rise, and wind patterns change, leading to stagnant air that traps pollutants. This results in higher concentrations of PM2.5 in the atmosphere. Yes, even higher than normal. The study found that such climate variability could increase PM2.5-attributable premature deaths by up to 14%.

The study reveals that Asia, particularly China and India, suffered the most from PM2.5 pollution. Between 1980 and 2020, China experienced around 49 million PM2.5-attributable premature deaths, while India saw about 26.1 million. Other countries in the region, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Japan, also faced significant health impacts, with premature deaths ranging from 2 to 5 million each. These results weren’t particularly surprising, yet sad, but those are the countries you usually hear the most about when it comes to news related to pollution.

Associate Professor Steve Yim, the study’s lead author from NTU’s Asian School of the Environment and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, emphasized the need to understand how climate patterns can worsen air pollution. “Our findings show that changes in climate patterns can make air pollution worse. When certain climate events happen, like El Niño, pollution levels can go up, which means more people might die prematurely because of PM2.5 pollution,” he explained.

Co-author Professor Joseph Sung, Senior Vice President (Health and Life Sciences) at NTU and Dean of NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of addressing climate patterns in public health strategies. “Our study highlights how climate patterns affect air pollution, and this is crucial for healthcare professionals because it directly impacts public health. By recognizing these patterns, healthcare providers can better prepare for potential increases in patients seeking treatment for pollution-related ailments,” he noted.

But let’s talk a little bit about the study’s methodology. The study’s findings are based on extensive data analysis of the most reliable and comprehensive datasets. The researchers used satellite data from NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2). This model provides monthly information about PM2.5 concentrations on the Earth’s surface.

They also analyzed global health statistics from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Having explored these datasets myself, I feel confident about the results.

The study examines over 40 years of this data to provide a detailed look at how specific climate patterns affect air pollution in different regions. In other words, what do we observe when a certain climate pattern emerges?

This multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between climate variability and air quality and helps us understand their impacts on human health using state-of-the-art statistical methods that have proven to provide reliable results and predictions in the past.

One of the study’s most important takeaways is the need to incorporate public health considerations into air quality management strategies. For increased effectiveness, they suggest that instead of only focusing on reducing pollutant levels, governments should also consider the health impacts of air pollution.

This would involve evaluating policies’ effectiveness in reducing pollution-related health issues and implementing targeted interventions during specific climate conditions such as El Niño events. The idea is that putting human health on the front line will help prioritize these pollution-reduction policies.

Associate Professor Yim stresses: “This study underscores the importance of prioritizing public health when developing air quality strategies. Governments should consider the health effects of air pollution and implement policies that reduce pollution-related health issues,” he said.

The research team plans to conduct more detailed studies to better understand local air pollution patterns and the mechanisms behind how climate variability influences PM2.5 levels. They are hopeful. By continuing to explore these relationships, they trust that they can provide more actionable insights for policymakers and healthcare providers. Indeed, the researchers understand the need for actionable data and plans.

To sum up, this study highlights the significant global health impacts of fine particulate matter pollution, which is being exacerbated by climate variability. With around 135 million premature deaths linked to PM2.5 over four decades, it is clear that more needs to be done to address this critical issue. Incorporating climate considerations into public health strategies will help us better protect communities and improve overall health outcomes. Staying still isn’t a reliable option anymore.

Considering my personal health situation, this is too close to ignore. Let us handle the pollution and climate change crises for the cascading negative impacts that they are having and will continue to have on ecosystems and communities worldwide.