Air pollution kills more than 5.5 million people around the world each year, with over half of those deaths occurring in fast-growing China and India. The number of premature deaths will continue to climb in the years ahead unless more aggressive measures against pollution are adopted. Brazil, Pakistan, and Japan also rank among other countries that have experienced increases in pollution deaths in recent decades.
A number of sources including power plants, heavy industry, and vehicles contribute to outdoor air pollution around the globe. Sources of household air pollution include the use of coal, wood, and charcoal to cook and heat homes in less developed countries. Breathing the air pollutants can have impacts on the lungs. It can not only cause wheezing but also shortness of breath. As a result of this, many people might have to look for a lung doctor who can cure these ailments. Babies and the elderly are at higher risk of lung damage due to air pollution. That said, China and India account for 55 percent of yearly global deaths from air pollution. Some 1.6 million people died of air pollution in China in 2013, while India saw 1.4 million deaths.
In China, burning coal is the biggest contributor to poor air quality — and pollution from coal was found to have caused 366,000 deaths in 2013. In India, the main culprit was burning wood, dung and biomass for cooking and heating.
Air quality in the home can be improved, however, even with outdoor sources of pollution present. For example, it is important not to open doors or windows during morning and evening rush hour as this is when traffic pollution is at its worst. Additionally, you can install AC or an air purifier to clean the air. AC is fitted with filters, meaning as the air cycles through it, the filter blocks any particulates from getting recirculated back into the room. Changing out of clothes that have been worn outside can also help to remove pollution from indoor settings, whilst regularly rinsing hair with clean water can remove particulates that have stuck to it whilst outdoors.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines, pollution should be restricted to a daily particulate matter of 25 micrograms per cubic meter. In February, Beijing and New Delhi typically see daily levels at or above 300 micrograms per cubic meter — or 1,200 percent higher than WHO guidelines.
