Singapore – Pollution from man-made emissions and natural sources like wildfires has been linked to around 135 million premature deaths worldwide between 1980 and 2020, according to a study by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) unveiled on Monday.
Impact of Weather Phenomena
Weather phenomena such as El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole have exacerbated the impact of these pollutants by increasing their concentration in the air, the study revealed. These findings were published in the journal Environment International.
Harmful Particulate Matter
The study highlighted the dangers of fine particulate matter, PM 2.5, which is small enough to enter the bloodstream and is known to harm human health. PM 2.5 originates from vehicle and industrial emissions as well as natural sources like fires and dust storms. This particulate matter was linked to approximately 135 million premature deaths globally over the 40-year period.
Health Implications
The research found that premature deaths often resulted from treatable or preventable conditions, including stroke, heart and lung disease, and cancer. Changes in weather patterns were shown to increase deaths by 14%.
Regional Impact
Asia experienced the highest number of premature deaths due to PM 2.5 pollution, with over 98 million people affected, primarily in China and India. Significant numbers were also reported in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Japan, ranging from 2 to 5 million deaths.
Significance of the Study
“Our findings show that changes in climate patterns can make air pollution worse,” said Steve Yim, the study’s lead researcher and an associate professor at NTU’s Asian School of the Environment. He emphasized the need to consider climate patterns when addressing air pollution to protect global health.
Data and Collaboration
The study utilized satellite data from NASA and mortality statistics from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Weather pattern data was sourced from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The research involved collaboration with universities in Hong Kong, Britain, and China.
Future Research
While this study focused on the impact of ordinary weather patterns on air pollution, future research will investigate the effects of climate change on pollution levels and public health.
The World Health Organization has stated that the combined effects of ambient and household air pollution are linked to 6.7 million premature deaths globally each year.