Children are particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of air pollution, which can begin affecting their health as early as in the womb and continue to impact them throughout their lives.
The ‘State of Global Air 2024’ report reveals a startling statistic: in 2021, air pollution was the second most significant risk factor for death among children under five years old, surpassed only by malnutrition. That year, over 7 lakh deaths of children under five were attributed to air pollution.
This figure accounts for 15% of all global deaths in this age group, translating to nearly 2,000 young lives lost daily due to air pollution-related health issues. This grim number includes more than 570,000 neonatal deaths.
State of Global Air 2024: Key Findings
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of air quality and health impacts across the globe, highlighting several critical findings:
- In 2021, air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths worldwide, making it the second leading risk factor for death, including among children under five years old.
- Of these 8.1 million deaths, nearly 90% were due to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The report also highlights a critical link between air pollution and preterm births, with 34% of premature births worldwide in 2021 associated with polluted air. Premature birth complications are the leading cause of death in children under five. Those who survive often face enduring health challenges, including disabilities and developmental delays.
What Is Causing The Rise In Air Pollution?
Another significant aspect covered in the report is the interplay between air pollution and climate change. PM2.5 pollution, a major component of air pollution, arises from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass.
This pollution source is prevalent in transportation, residential heating, coal power plants, industrial activities, and wildfires. These activities are also primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the dual threat to public health and the environment.
The report provides detailed data on exposure to common air pollutants such as fine particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, marking the first time nitrogen dioxide's health impacts have been included.
Produced by the State of Global Air Initiative, the report is a collaboration between the Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease project, in partnership with UNICEF. It relies on data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD 2021) by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). These estimates consider the impact of 88 environmental, behavioural, and dietary risk factors on health across 204 countries and territories, although they do not reflect official national reporting.
Also Read: Exposure To Air Pollution In Utero Can Damage The Development Of Reproductive System: Study
Understanding and addressing the severe implications of air pollution on children is crucial for safeguarding future generations and mitigating long-term health and environmental impacts.