Air pollution kills nearly 2,000 children daily worldwide: Study

A recent study reveals that air pollution is now the second leading cause of death among children under five globally, overtaking poor sanitation and lack of clean water.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.

In short:

More than 8 million deaths in 2021 were due to air pollution, with children and low-income countries hit hardest.
PM2.5 particles, primarily responsible for air pollution deaths, are linked to lung disease, heart disease, and other serious health issues.
Climate change exacerbates air pollution, with higher temperatures and wildfires increasing particulate matter in the air.

Key quote:

"Our inaction is having profound effects on the next generation, with lifelong health and wellbeing impacts."

— Kitty van der Heijden, deputy executive director of Unicef

Why this matters:
Addressing air pollution is crucial for improving global health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable children in low-income countries. Addressing this issue can dramatically improve health outcomes and combat climate change. Read more: Breathless: Pittsburgh's asthma epidemic and the fight to stop it.

www.theguardian.com

Air pollution kills nearly 2,000 children daily worldwide: Study

Clothes that cool you, warm you — and make power as you move

Gas from thawing Arctic permafrost is changing world's climate future

‘Explosion of melt rates’: 20% of Swiss glaciers lost in five years

Climate change’s compounding pressures on rural North Carolina

The true cost of Trump's fuel economy rollbacks

Montana officials praise repeal of power plant emission regulations, watchdog groups pan decision

The surprising allies backing Boulder's climate case before the Supreme Court

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.