Air Pollution Now Considered Major Risk to Life Expectancy in South Asia
2023-08-30
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1A new environmental report says rising air pollution across South Asia can cut life expectancy rates by up to five years.
2South Asia includes the world's most polluted countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
3The area accounts for more than half of the total lives lost worldwide to pollution, the Energy Policy Institute said in its latest Air Quality Life Index.
4The institute is part of the University of Chicago.
5The report blames the air pollution dangers on fast industrialization and population growth across South Asia.
6Researchers estimate the area currently has particle pollution rates that are 50 percent higher than at the start of the century.
7Individuals living in Bangladesh, the world's most polluted country, stand to lose 6.8 years of life on average per person, the report found.
8This compares to 3.6 months in the United States.
9The information is based on satellite data used to estimate the effects of increased airborne fine particles on life expectancy.
10The report said India has been responsible for about 59 percent of the world's increase in pollution since 2013.
11In densely populated New Delhi, the world's most polluted large city, the average life expectancy had dropped by more than 10 years.
12The report called for cuts in worldwide levels of lung-harming airborne particles to levels sought by the World Health Organization (WHO).
13If these cuts were reached, it could raise average life expectancy rates by 2.3 years.
14A person living in Pakistan would gain 3.9 years from meeting WHO pollution guidelines, the report added.
15And in Nepal, a person would live 4.6 years longer if the guidelines were met.
16The report noted that China has worked to reduce pollution by 42.3 percent between 2013 and 2021.
17The researchers said this shows the need for governments to produce and share air quality data to help reduce inequalities in getting tools to fight pollution.
18I'm Bryan Lynn.
1A new environmental report says rising air pollution across South Asia can cut life expectancy rates by up to five years. 2South Asia includes the world's most polluted countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. The area accounts for more than half of the total lives lost worldwide to pollution, the Energy Policy Institute said in its latest Air Quality Life Index. The institute is part of the University of Chicago. 3The report blames the air pollution dangers on fast industrialization and population growth across South Asia. Researchers estimate the area currently has particle pollution rates that are 50 percent higher than at the start of the century. 4Individuals living in Bangladesh, the world's most polluted country, stand to lose 6.8 years of life on average per person, the report found. This compares to 3.6 months in the United States. The information is based on satellite data used to estimate the effects of increased airborne fine particles on life expectancy. 5The report said India has been responsible for about 59 percent of the world's increase in pollution since 2013. In densely populated New Delhi, the world's most polluted large city, the average life expectancy had dropped by more than 10 years. 6The report called for cuts in worldwide levels of lung-harming airborne particles to levels sought by the World Health Organization (WHO). If these cuts were reached, it could raise average life expectancy rates by 2.3 years. 7A person living in Pakistan would gain 3.9 years from meeting WHO pollution guidelines, the report added. And in Nepal, a person would live 4.6 years longer if the guidelines were met. 8The report noted that China has worked to reduce pollution by 42.3 percent between 2013 and 2021. The researchers said this shows the need for governments to produce and share air quality data to help reduce inequalities in getting tools to fight pollution. 9I'm Bryan Lynn. 10Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for Learning English. 11_____________________________________________________ 12What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 13Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here