Pollution Deaths Worldwide

While in Europe a phantom " Green Deal " continues to be announced , and while in Italy the political class, first and foremost through the government's megaphones, has now specialized in blowing the whistle on miraculous " green transformations " with billion-dollar investments (all on paper), the tally of deaths from air pollution is being updated.

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DEATHS DUE TO POLLUTION

According to the Lancet, a total of 7 million deaths per year are attributable to air pollution , 2,9 million of which are due to particulate matter and fine particles alone. Obviously, the majority of these deaths are concentrated in the 15 countries that emit the most greenhouse gases (the ones we should eliminate), starting with China, India, and Pakistan.

This tragic accounting is updated every year, and we have thus arrived at 9 million premature deaths per year due to pollution.

DEATHS DUE TO POLLUTION IN ITALY

There were 52.303, about 140 per day. Italy, unfortunately, holds the sad record of being the European country with the highest number of deaths from pollution among EU countries. Premature deaths were caused by fine particulate matter in 2020 (the last year for which an official survey is available). The statistic is increasing compared to previous years, and after Italy, Poland and Germany are the highest.

DEATHS FROM POLLUTION IN THE WORLD

But even in Europe , the continent that is expected to become carbon neutral by 2050, pollution-related deaths number half a million a year . A frightening figure. Like 7 percent of all deaths in Italy, which are attributable to well-identified killers, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. At the top of this horrific ranking are two regions, one in the North (Lombardy) and the other in the South (Campania). Compared to the carnage of pollution, Italy appears to be one and alone.

WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?

Air pollution arises from a combination of three factors: physical, chemical, and biological. These factors alter air quality, which is crucial for human health and particularly for the risks it can pose to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Recent studies, particularly research from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Great Britain, add other conditions to the list of potential health risks deriving from pollution. Specifically: low birth weight , diabetes , mental health effects (including dementia), and kidney disease.

AMOUNT OF CO2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Greenhouse gases significantly influence the temperature of the atmosphere and the planet, and therefore the climate emergency. Carbon dioxide (CO2) accounts for 76 percent of greenhouse gases, and its emissions come from industry, (intensive) agriculture, homes, transportation, energy in other sectors, and waste.

In 2020, 418 ppm of CO2 per million people were recorded (compared to 338 in 1980), and forecasts suggest it will surpass the 600-ppm mark by 2050 , partly due to global warming exceeding 2 degrees Celsius. The three nations that emit the most CO2 in the world are, in that order, China, the United States, and India. The three most polluted cities in the world are, in that order, Ghaziabad (India), Hotan (China), and Gujranwala (Pakistan). As for Italy, the Po Valley is the place in Europe where the highest number of deaths are due to air pollution. And two Italian capitals, Turin and Milan, top the Lancet list of places where premature deaths are attributed to levels of nitrogen dioxide, the deadly gas produced by air pollution.

WHAT DIRTY THE AIR

Air pollution arises from the diffusion of gases and fine and very fine particles into the air. Where do they come from? From factories, intensive crops and livestock farming, but also from energy generation plants, home heating and cooling, traffic, and road transport in general.

The most harmful and deadly substance to human health linked to air pollution is particulate matter, both solid and liquid, suspended in the air. The acronym PM stands for "particulate matter" and indicates the size of the particles: specifically, PM 10, which is dust capable of reaching the inside of the nose and larynx; PM 2,5, which includes particles smaller than 2,5 micrometers in diameter and can penetrate the lungs and even the blood; and PM 0,001, which is so fine it can enter cells and even mutate DNA. According to the latest data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), in Europe, only Estonia, Finland, Iceland, and Ireland recorded levels of fine particulate matter in the air below the maximum thresholds set by the World Health Organization as early as 2018.

As for gaseous pollutants, the most dangerous substance is nitrogen dioxide , considered carcinogenic : it is emitted, for example, by a large part of diesel engines.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Noise pollution, the most frequent damages are to hearing, sleep, thyroid and intestines

DAMAGE FROM FINE DUST

The effect of smog on the respiratory system is well summarized by a 2018 Chinese study published in the International Journal of Biometeorology . Human exposure to particulate matter leads to impaired function of the cilia, which, through their movements, push the layer of liquid mucus into the trachea. At this point, a fundamental defense mechanism fails in our body: the one that should block pathogens from advancing into the respiratory system.

Once particulate matter reaches the lungs, it is retained like a sponge and deposited in the alveoli, the small cells that allow the exchange of oxygen between the inhaled air and the blood. Through the capillaries, fine particles spread throughout the body. Everywhere. They lead to inflammation in the blood vessels, which increases atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk.

CONSEQUENCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution can cause or aggravate various forms of allergies , asthma , bronchitis , and respiratory diseases , including pneumonia. Prolonged exposure to the gaseous and liquid particles that pollute the air is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, stroke, heart attack, and ischemic heart disease. It also leads to diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurological and psychiatric conditions, and premature births. With the pandemic, scientific evidence continues to mount, as we discussed in this article , on the relationship between air pollution and Covid-19. It is the polluting particles, both gaseous and liquid, that make the respiratory system more fragile and therefore more exposed to the risk of infection. Specifically, a biostatic study conducted by a team of scientists from Harvard University found that even a small increase in long-term exposure to PM 2,5 leads to a significant increase in the mortality rate from Covid-19. So much so that, according to a study that cross-references data from various studies, also conducted at Harvard and published in Cardiovascular Research , 15 percent of deaths worldwide from Covid-19 are linked to air pollution.

EFFECTS OF SMOG

The first signs of the damage air pollution is causing to our bodies are elementary and should not be underestimated. In the upper body, you may experience fatigue , anxiety , headaches , irritation , and inflammation of the eyes and mucous membranes . From the core, you may experience more labored breathing than usual, while you may also experience signs of fatigue in your legs.

SMOG DAMAGES CHILDREN'S BRAINS

Smog can damage, and quite seriously at that, children's brainsA study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, led by Matilda von den Bosch, examined more than a thousand cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children born in Vancouver between 2001 and 2002. It emerged that living in an area polluted by particulate matter and with little green space during the brain development period significantly increases the risk of ADHD. For every 12 percent decrease in vegetation in the area, the risk increases by one-tenth; for every two micrograms of PM 2.5, the risk increases by 11 percent. Needless to say, however, the lack of greenery is more concentrated in poor neighborhoods and on the outskirts of cities, thus creating further discrimination among the population regarding sustainability.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM AIR POLLUTION

There are some simple things we can do every day to increase our level of protection from air pollution. Let's start with masks , which are essential for protecting ourselves from the pandemic: FFP2 masks also block fine particles, although they are not suitable for significant physical exertion, such as running or cycling. When jogging or running, it's best to stay at least 150 meters away from areas with heavy traffic, such as cars and motorcycles , and choose green spaces. When days are particularly gray due to smog, it's best to avoid any outdoor activity. At home, in the office, and in workplaces, it's essential to open windows frequently and allow for frequent air circulation. If you feel like you live in an environment at risk of indoor pollution, you can also install a small home air purification system . All systems, both heating and cooling, require annual maintenance and inspections: poor functioning becomes a pollutant. Finally, two simple but essential tips. The first concerns food: fruits and vegetables improve the immune system and therefore counteract the harmful effects of smog. Drinking plenty of water is also beneficial , as it helps dilute and expel mucus and pollutants that have entered our bodies. Smoking in the home should be eliminated in any case , as it is a very serious and dangerous source of pollution.

POLLUTION AND CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Pollution also has a significant impact on the climate crisis. Greenhouse gases and air pollutants degrade air quality and have a short-term warming impact. These include hydrofluorocarbons, soot, methane, and ozone: all invisible in the air, except soot. An immediate reduction of these pollutants, according to the book Carbon Almanac, a guide to climate change (Roi Edizioni) Several studies estimate that a drop in pollutants could reduce climate change by up to 4 degrees Celsius. And the rate of sea level rise by 24-50 percent.

THE SMALL AND BIG BATTLES TO SAVE THE PLANET

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