Air pollution in cities worldwide is increasing at an “alarming rate” and killing millions each year, says a new report by the World Health Organization released on May 12.
The report says more than 80 percent of people living in cities that monitor pollution are exposed to air quality levels that surpass WHO minimum standards. The organization says low-income urban areas are the most impacted by air pollution.
The report says 98 percent of cities in low and middle income nations with populations over 100,000 do not meet WHO air quality guidelines, while high-income countries are at 56 percent.
The WHO says that over the past 2 years the database, covering 3,000 cities in 103 nations, has nearly doubled, with more urban areas suffering air pollution levels that are linked to health issues. As the quality of air gets worse, the risk increases for diseases like heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases—including asthma.
