Noncommunicable Diseases Air Pollution
Global research trends and hotspots on environmental pollution and primary liver cancer: A bibliometric and visualized analysis. Tropical Medicine and Health.
• Research & Reports
WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
Air Pollution
Humanity’s impact on Earth’s natural systems is affecting the quality of the air we breathe.
Air pollution is attributed to natural sources like dust storms, and human activities like vehicle emissions, industrial processes, burning wood, and power plants. Inhaled particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues, heart disease, and other health problems, especially for vulnerable populations. Biomass burning for agriculture in places like equatorial Asia is driving sharp increases in particulate air pollution and associated morbidity and mortality. In some regions, air pollution has become so pervasive that it obscures the sun, altering regional weather patterns, reducing agricultural yields, and accelerating glacial melting.
In addition to particulate pollution, warmer temperatures associated with climate change increase the formation of tropospheric ozone, a main constituent of smog and contributor to cardiorespiratory disease. Warmer temperatures and higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are associated with longer pollen seasons and increased pollen production, intensifying allergic respiratory diseases, such as asthma.
8M Deaths per year
One modelling study concluded that fine particulate and ozone air pollution contribute to more than 8 million all-cause deaths per year.
Air-pollution deaths are substantially more likely in low- and middle-income countries.
Browse the resources below to learn more about air quality and ways to protect the air we breathe.
“… pollution control is highly cost-effective and, because pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss are closely linked, actions taken to control pollution have a high potential to also mitigate the effects of those other planetary threats.”
– Lelieveld et al. Pollution and health: A progress update
Air Pollution Resources
Noncommunicable Diseases Air Pollution
Demographic heterogeneity in health impacts of air pollution exposure on respiratory infections in Eastern China: A six-year multicity study. Environmental Sciences Europe.
In Eastern China, a six-year multicity study found that increases in fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were linked to higher rates and severity of respiratory infections — especially among children and the elderly.
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Life Stage and Reproductive Health Noncommunicable Diseases
Traffic-related air pollution exposure at birth and risk of childhood leukemia: Results from the GEOCAP-Birth case–control study. Environmental Health.
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Noncommunicable Diseases Air Pollution
State of Global Air Report 2025.
Experts reveal that over a third of the world’s population faces dangerous air pollution levels, with 2.6 billion people exposed to household pollution. They note that 95% of air pollution–related deaths in adults over 60 are tied to diseases like dementia, diabetes, and heart disease.
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Air Pollution Biodiversity Loss
Addressing the Triple Environmental Crisis: A Way Forward
Explore economic and nature-based solutions to the environmental crisis, with expert talks, real-world case studies, and interactive discussions led by global leaders in Planetary Health, including PHA’s Carlos Faerron.
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News Related to Air Pollution
Osh State University Builds a Planetary Health Movement in Central Asia
