Exposure To Air Pollution: A Major Public Health Concern

Abstract

Indoor air pollution from solid fuel use and urban outdoor air pollution are estimated to be responsible for 3.1 million premature deaths worldwide every year and 3.2% of the global burden of disease.1 More than half of the global burden of disease from air pollution is borne by people in developing countries. Air pollutants have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer. Reduction of air pollution levels will decrease the global health burden related to these illnesses. Efforts to significantly reduce concentrations of air pollutants will also help to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming.2