Weather patterns increased deaths by 14 percent, study found (Representational)
Singapore:
Pollution caused by man-made emissions and other sources such as forest fires has been linked to about 135 million premature deaths worldwide between 1980 and 2020, a Singapore university said on Monday.
Meteorological phenomena such as El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole have worsened the effects of these pollutants by intensifying their concentration in the air, said Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), revealing the results of a study led by its researchers.
The tiny particles called particulate matter 2.5, or “PM 2.5,” are harmful to human health when inhaled because they are small enough to enter the bloodstream. They come from vehicular and industrial emissions, as well as natural sources such as fires and dust storms.
Fine particles “have been linked to approximately 135 million premature deaths worldwide” between 1980 and 2020, the university said in a statement about the study, published in the journal Environment International.
People were found to be dying earlier than their average life expectancy due to diseases or conditions that could have been treated or prevented, including stroke, heart and lung disease, and cancer.
Weather patterns increased deaths by 14 percent, the study found.
Asia had the “highest number of premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 pollution,” with more than 98 million people, mainly in China and India, the university said.
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Japan also recorded significant numbers of premature deaths, ranging between 2 and 5 million people, he added.
The study is one of the most extensive to date on air quality and climate, using 40 years of data to provide an overview of the health effects of particles.
“Our findings show that changes in weather patterns can worsen air pollution,” said Steve Yim, associate professor at NTU’s Asian School of the Environment, who led the study.
“When certain weather events such as El Niño occur, pollution levels can rise, meaning more people can die prematurely from PM2.5 pollution,” Yim added.
“This highlights the need to understand and take these climate patterns into account when combating air pollution to protect the health of the global population.”
The Singapore researchers studied satellite data from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on particle levels in Earth’s atmosphere.
They analyzed statistics on deaths from diseases linked to pollution from the US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, an independent research center.
Information on weather patterns during the period was taken from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The study focused only on the effects of normal weather patterns on air pollution, Yim said, adding that the impact of climate change will be the subject of future studies.
Researchers from universities in Hong Kong, Great Britain and China were also involved in the study.
The World Health Organization has stated that the “combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution” are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths worldwide every year.
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