Polluted air is lethal in these parts of the world
Vehicle emissions and traditional cooking methods contribute to air pollution, which causes some seven million deaths a year, a new analysis finds.
Air pollution kills seven million people a year. Two of the chief contributors are lax vehicle emissions standards and traditional cooking methods, according to the findings of a recent World Health Organization analysis of air quality data from more than 4,300 cities in 108 countries.
More than 90 percent of the deaths occur in low- and moderate-income countries where families are more likely to cook with charcoal and kerosene. These materials release pollutants into the air that can cause heart disease, lung cancer, and other health issues.
Urban population growth compounds the problem: Air quality in many of the world’s megacities is five times worse than what WHO recommends. But the organization sees signs of hope in some nations, such as India and Mexico, that are initiating clean energy efforts and stricter vehicle standards.
