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Research Links Millions of Deaths to Fine Particle Pollution
In a groundbreaking study spanning four decades, researchers have linked fine particle pollution with an estimated 135 million premature deaths worldwide from 1980 to 2020. Premature deaths, in this context, are those occurring earlier than the statistical average life expectancy, often because of preventable or treatable conditions, such as diseases influenced by environmental factors.
The research, conducted by a team led by an Associate Professor from the Asian School of the Environment and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, underscored how climate variations, including the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, the Indian Ocean Dipole, and the North Atlantic Oscillation, amplify the deadly impact of pollution. These phenomena can alter atmospheric conditions, promoting stagnant air that traps pollutants and exacerbates their health effects. Studies have shown a 14% increase in premature deaths due to such climate events.
Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, comprises particles 2.5 micrometres in diameter or smaller. These particles emanate from various sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and natural events like wildfires and dust storms. When inhaled, PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks.
The analysis revealed that strokes accounted for approximately a third of the premature deaths attributed to PM2.5, closely followed by ischemic heart disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and lung cancer also contributed significantly to the mortality rates associated with air pollution.
To ascertain the impacts of fine particulate matter on public health, the researchers employed satellite data from NASA to monitor global PM2.5 levels, alongside health statistics from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This comprehensive approach allowed for a detailed examination of the interplay between air quality and climate over an extended period.
This investigation distinguishes itself by its long-term global perspective, assessing over forty years of data to unveil the nuanced ways in which specific climatic conditions can influence regional air pollution and, consequently, health outcomes. Such insights are crucial for developing more effective strategies to tackle air pollution and mitigate its many hazards to human health.
As populations around the world continue to grapple with the health impacts of fine particulate matter, this research underscores the urgent need for concerted global efforts to improve air quality and adapt to changing climatic conditions that may intensify pollution levels.
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