A new study by the World Health Organization shows that 99% of the Earth's population breathes bad air. The survey was conducted in over 6,000 cities in 117 countries (covering 80% of the world's urban areas).


The WHO in its study found that with each inhalation, invisible hydrogen dioxide from vehicles, construction equipment, factories, etc., penetrates deep into our lungs, irritating sensitive tissues, causing allergies, inflammation, asthma and reducing their function. Only 23% of people in 4,000 cities breathe air where NO2 levels are within the WHO limits, while the highest NO2 concentrations are recorded.
The airborne particles we inhale, especially those of 2.5μm, are able to be found deep in the lungs, enter the bloodstream and cause heart, brain and respiratory problems. There is growing evidence that particulate matter affects other organs and causes other diseases.


A new study by the Swiss company IQAir, showed that no country meets the WHO requirements for air quality at 2.5μm in 2021. It is a worrying fact that no major city or country offers safe and healthy air to its citizens. As the study emphasizes, we have a lot of work to do to ensure that everyone has safe and clean air to breathe. "Now is the time to act".
The WHO estimates that approximately 4.2 million premature deaths in 2016 are due to PM2.5 particulate matter. "Current energy concerns highlight the importance of accelerating the transition to a cleaner energy system. "High fossil fuel prices, energy security and the urgent need to tackle air pollution and climate change underscore the need to move faster towards a world less dependent on fossil fuels," he said.


The same survey also showed that higher-income countries have lower particulate matter pollution, but most cities have problems with nitrogen dioxide. "After surviving the pandemic, it is unacceptable that there are still 7 million deaths that can be prevented and countless wasted years of good health that can be avoided due to air pollution. This is what we say when we look at the mountain of data, data and solutions available for air pollution.
However, too many investments are still sinking in a polluted environment and not in clean, healthy air ", said the Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health of the WHO.