In the developed countries across the globe, quality of life is the top concern. The latest report from the State of Global Air stated that approximately 95% of the Earth’s population is breathing in polluted air. The polluted air is defined as the air which contains fine particles of contaminants at a level which exceeds the guidelines of the global air quality. The effect of this polluted air is more on the poor communities than the privileged areas. A study conducted by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) in the US has stated that the gap between least and most polluted areas is increasing each year.
The health of the people gets affected a lot due to the increasing pollution. According to the HEI report, in the year 2006, more than 6.1 million deaths occurred around the globe and all of them were due to the effects of pollution. Lung cancer, heart diseases, strokes, chronic lung diseases are the worst and continuously increasing health-related issues in the world. After high blood pressure, daily diet and smoking, air pollution is at the 4th place in being the deadly health risk around the world. Air pollution is taking its toll on the human life. People from every age group visit hospitals on a daily basis because of the increasing health issue.
HEI report also included the indoor pollution while recording the details. This also includes the pollution which is caused by the use of wood, coal, and dung for heating and cooking purposes. According to records of 2016, indoor pollution has caused almost 2.6 million deaths. These values are based on the real ground measurement, satellite readings, and other research & data resources. The nations which are affected most by air pollution are located in the Middle East, West Africa, and North Africa.
Burning solid fuel and scattered mineral dust are the main causes of pollution here. The rates of deaths caused by pollution are increasing in the countries like India and China. Canada, Australia, Finland, and Iceland are among those countries which are ranked lowest for air pollution. Results of the study showed that only 5% of the world population is able to breathe in quality air, which is indeed a serious and threatening solution. It is time when the accurate measures should be taken around the world to take control of the increasing air pollution. These measures should not only include large scale industries but also small households as well. China took a step towards this situation and shut down 40% of its factories for time being. However, every country needs to take serious steps to overcome this serious issue.