Recent studies reveal that even minimal exposure to PM2.5, tiny soot particles, significantly increases cardiovascular and respiratory health risks.
Oliver Milman reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Research indicates no safe level of PM2.5 exposure, linking it to increased hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases.
- The WHO's recommended PM2.5 levels are surpassed in the US, UK, and EU, posing ongoing health threats.
- PM2.5, primarily from fossil fuel combustion, contributes to a range of diseases, including COPD and asthma.
Key quote:
“We are seeing a multitude of effects from this pollution, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to asthma, and it’s affecting people at very low levels.”
— Gregory Wellenius, environmental scientist, Boston University School of Public Health
Why this matters:
This topic highlights the pervasive health impact of air pollution, a major environmental issue. Understanding these risks is vital for informed public policy and personal health decisions, especially considering the global scale of air pollution-related deaths.
Air pollution linked to millions of birth complications across the globe.
