Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health which increases the burden of illness such as strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer as well respiratory diseases like asthma. More than half of the world’s population lives in cities with poor air quality conditions.

More specifically, ambient, or outdoor air pollution across rural areas and cities was estimated to cause almost four million premature deaths by the World Health Organisation in 2012. And although a large majority of these fatalities happened in low and middle income countries in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia, developed nations were not altogether spared. Indeed, outdoor air pollution also contributes to climate change and creates a major environmental problem in both developed and developing countries. 

The World Health Organisation has no legislative power over countries but gives recommendations and sets worldwide guidelines for the key air pollutants that pose health risks. But in 2013, it was found that only 12% of cities achieved these targets. 

Experts have found that particulate matter (PM) affects more people than any other pollutant. Broadly speaking, there are two types of particulate matter those with a diameter of 10 microns known as PM10 and those with an even smaller diameter of 2.5 microns known as PM2.5. The smaller the particle, the more chances there are of them being able to penetrate into our lungs and cause heart disease, strokes, pulmonary and respiratory diseases as well as cancer. These particles are measured in micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) and the World Health Organisation has indicated that by reducing particulate matter pollution to 20 ug/m3, we can cut air pollution-related deaths by 15%. 

Some major components of particulate matter are: sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride and black carbon. Add to this the effect of ozone pollution which is a major factor in asthma related deaths, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide which also contribute to the development of asthma, lung inflammation and reduced lung function altogether. 

But most sources of outdoor air pollution cannot be curbed by individuals and requires national and international policymakers to act in different sectors such as transport, energy and agriculture. 

''Air pollution is the biggest environmental health problem and is affecting everyone from developing to developped countries, rich and less rich" Dr Maria Neira

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Explore different levels of particulate matter in the world