Experts from the International Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation have revealed the results of a global study, according to which air pollution was the leading cause of about half a million infant deaths worldwide in 2019. The full report is available on the State of Global Air 2020 website.
According to scientists, in 2019, air pollution was ranked fourth among the factors that increase the risk of death. They estimate that it led to 6.75 million premature deaths and the loss of 213 million years of healthy life. At the same time, airborne PM2.5 particles (2.5 micrometers in diameter) account for 4.14 million deaths, indoor air pollutants – 2.31 million deaths, ozone – 365 thousand. Collectively, these forms of pollution accounted for 1 in 9 deaths worldwide.
Atmospheric PM2.5 and indoor air pollution have killed nearly 500,000 babies under one month of age. Although there is abundant data on the hazard of fine particulate matter, PM2.5 exposure levels have remained high or increasing over the past decade, especially in parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Ozone levels also continue to rise due to emissions of precursors and climate change.
High infant mortality is due to the fact that babies born with low birth weight are more susceptible to infections and pneumonia. The lungs of premature babies also may not be fully developed, making them vulnerable to respiratory diseases. Contamination also causes brain damage.
