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Around 2.2 Million Deaths in a Year in India and China From Air Pollution (cnbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the polluted-air dept.

India is on the verge of overtaking China as the country with the most deaths caused by air pollution, the world's biggest environmental killer, according to research published on Tuesday. From a report: The State of Global Air 2017 report states that extensive, long-term exposure to fine particulate matter contributed to more than four million premature deaths in 2015. The report is a joint effort between the Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evalution's Global Burden of Disease Project. "We are seeing increasing air pollution problems worldwide," Dan Greenbaum, president of the Health Effects Institute, said in a statement. "The trends we report show that we have seen progress in some parts of the world -- but serious challenges remain," Greenbaum went on to add. The report's analysis showed that India -- with extra exposure and its aging population -- now competes with China in terms of air pollution health burdens. Both countries saw around 1.1 million early deaths due to air pollution in 2015.

3 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Here is the actual report by sethaw · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here is the actual report: State of Global Air 2017

  2. Re:But let's dig more coal to burn, right? by Noishkel · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well just so you know the problem here isn't coal, it's the fact that neither China nor India use any air crubbing technology at all in their power plants. Unlike power plants in the US. Which is why even through most of US power is made by coal we don't have nation wide air quality issues.

    But hey, go right a head and whine about the environment instead of actually doing something. I'm sure that'll make it all better.

  3. pollution is from burning fields by XXongo · · Score: 4, Informative

    Presumably the air pollution is coming from some activities that raise living standards to afford clean water, public hospitals, health insurance, and reduced crime.

    Nope.

    In India, the worst of the air pollution is generated from burning fields after harvest. There are other technologies to clear the fields, such as a tractor-mounted seeder, which is actually better for the fields, as well as for the air-- but they cost over a thousand dollars each, far too much for the small farmers.

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-chokes-on-smoke-from-neighbouring-states/story-zAkXkflle5MoUXLNYfZa0H.html
    http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-air-poolution-in-haryana-farmers-say-burning-fields-their-only-option-3739415/
    https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/world/asia/farmers-unchecked-crop-burning-fuels-indias-air-pollution.html?_r=0