Undoubtedly the world is battling a deadly pandemic for the past two years and has claimed many lives. However, there are other degenerative effects on the planet as well, and they are equally lethal to us, albeit at a slower rate.
Man-made crises like global warming and air pollution are having extremely harmful effects on our planet as well as our lives. A recent study has shown that air pollution is actually reducing people’s life expectancy. The study also shows that a large population in the world is actually breathing unsafe air.
The Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) of the University of Chicago recently released the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report and it is not pleasant news.
According to the report, life expectancy of people worldwide has been reduced by more than 2 years due to air pollution, and despite the slowdown in the economy globally in recent days due to the pandemic. This effect on life expectancy is comparable to that of smoking, more than three times as bad as drinking too much alcohol or using unclean water, six times as bad as HIV/AIDS and 89 times as bad as war and terrorism.
You will be surprised to know that pollution has increased rapidly in the country. India Since 2013, the world’s population has increased by 44 percent. In recent times, the most dangerous effect of pollution has been seen in South Asia. Apart from this, the health of people in Southeast Asia, Central and West Africa, America and Europe is also being affected by pollution. It has been estimated that people who live in the most polluted areas of Southeast Asia – particularly the areas around the cities of Mandalay, Hanoi and Jakarta – will live on average 3-4 years less.
According to this study, 97 percent of the world’s population is living in areas where the level of air pollution is many times higher than normal. PM2.5 particles present in the air cause serious damage to the lungs. The study warns that the situation could worsen if air pollution is not made a public health issue.
If the PM2.5 level is recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) had globally reduced by five micrograms per cubic metre, life expectancy would increase by an average of 2.2 years. According to Dr. Sonia Rawat, Director, Preventive Health and Wellness Department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (Delhi), our lungs are most affected by air pollution. Long-term exposure to dust, soil and smoke weakens the lungs.
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