Air pollution claims more than 2 million lives worldwide every year, according to a new study. And roughly 470,000 deaths occur each year due to increases in ozone caused by humans, the study authors said. On the other hand, climate change only has a minimal effect on air pollution and rising death rates, the authors concluded.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina estimated that about 2.1 million people die as a result of a surge in fine particulate matter air pollution. These tiny air particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause cancer and other respiratory illnesses.

"Our estimates make outdoor air pollution among the most important environmental risk factors for health," study co-author Jason West, of the University of North Carolina, said in a journal news release. "Many of these deaths are estimated to occur in East Asia and South Asia, where population is high and air pollution is severe." ...

Source: MedicineNet Lungs General
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