92% of the World's Population Exposed To Unsafe Levels of Air Pollution: WHO (sciencedaily.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Science Daily: A new World Health Organization (WHO) air quality model confirms that 92% of the world's population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits. "The new WHO model shows countries where the air pollution danger spots are, and provides a baseline for monitoring progress in combatting it," says Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General at WHO. It also represents the most detailed outdoor (or ambient) air pollution-related health data, by country, ever reported by WHO. The model is based on data derived from satellite measurements, air transport models and ground station monitors for more than 3000 locations, both rural and urban. It was developed by WHO in collaboration with the University of Bath, United Kingdom. Some 3 million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution can be just as deadly. In 2012, an estimated 6.5 million deaths (11.6% of all global deaths) were associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution together. Nearly 90% of air-pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with nearly 2 out of 3 occurring in WHO's South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. Ninety-four per cent are due to noncommunicable diseases -- notably cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Air pollution also increases the risks for acute respiratory infections. Major sources of air pollution include inefficient modes of transport, household fuel and waste burning, coal-fired power plants, and industrial activities. However, not all air pollution originates from human activity. For example, air quality can also be influenced by dust storms, particularly in regions close to deserts. The model has carefully calibrated data from satellite and ground stations to maximize reliability. National air pollution exposures were analyzed against population and air pollution levels at a grid resolution of about 10 km x 10 km. The interactive maps provide information on population-weighted exposure to particulate matter of an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) for all countries. The map also indicates data on monitoring stations for PM10 and PM2.5 values for about 3000 cities and towns. Quartz's report features a table that highlights the countries with the world's worst air pollution. The table "shows all the median levels of particulate matter in each country where the WHO collected data."

Comments

Re:Can't wait for solar power and electric cars ta

[pslytely psycho]

Yep, L.A. was really bad in the sixties and seventies. My family went through there on our way to visit grandparents that lived in Palm Springs. The air was a yellowish brown and was quite difficult for my mother at the time.

I've been there many times since and it has improved dramatically.

I remember seeing a newspaper article years ago that showed air filters from the city monitoring stations from the seventies that were very dark comparing them to ones in the late nineties that were quite clean in comparison.

It can still get quite smoggy, but nothing like when I was a kid. With more population it would of been a lot like modern Beijing. We used to joke "What happens when the smog over Los Angeles clears? UCLA!"

I fear those growing up since that time who want to eliminate EPA regulations fail to realize what it was like before those regulations existed. After all, it's never been that bad for them, so obviously those regulations are just an impediment to business and serve no real purpose. After all, L.A. was never as bad as Beijing is now, so the regulations must be overreaction by the government.

And while some regulations are overreactions, overall, they have helped more than harmed. I rather like breathing.