8.1 Million Deaths in 2021: Air Pollution's Deadly...

8.1 Million Deaths in 2021: Air Pollution's Deadly Global Impact

Rutendo Mazhindu

Zim Now Reporter

Air pollution has emerged as one of the deadliest threats to global health, accounting for 8.1 million deaths in 2021—more than one in eight deaths worldwide.

The 2024 State of Global Air report reveals an escalating crisis that spares no region, with vulnerable populations bearing the heaviest burden.

“Nearly 99% of the world’s population lives in areas with unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5),” states the report.

PM2.5, a mix of microscopic pollutants from vehicles, factories, and burning fuels, has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, respiratory illnesses, and adverse birth outcomes.

In Africa and South Asia, the situation is particularly dire. Over 95% of the population in some countries relies on solid fuels such as wood and charcoal for cooking, causing severe household air pollution.

Globally, household air pollution contributed to 3.1 million deaths in 2021, disproportionately affecting women and children.

“Exposure to polluted air during cooking harms respiratory health and development, especially in children under five,” the report notes.

In urban areas, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), primarily from traffic emissions, is an increasing concern.

“High concentrations of NO2 in cities contribute to respiratory conditions like asthma and reflect broader traffic-related air pollution,” warns the report.

NO2 exposure has been linked to 177,000 healthy years of life lost among children globally due to respiratory ailments.

Ozone pollution, another invisible hazard, is rising due to increasing industrial activity and global temperatures. “Ozone pollution spikes during heatwaves, amplifying health risks and reducing crop yields,” the report adds.

Since 2000, global deaths linked to household air pollution have dropped by 35%. However, regions like sub-Saharan Africa lag significantly in transitioning to cleaner energy sources.