New Study: Pollution from Combustion of Fossil Fuel is More Dangerous Than Previously Imagined

Recent research discovers that in 2018 fine particulate pollution created by the burning of fossil fuels was accountable for one in five premature deaths globally - more than previously imagined.
Aaron Bernstein, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explained that the individuals largely at danger are those "who cannot afford it."

Aaron, interim director of Harvard Chan School's C-CHANGE (Center for Health, Climate, and the Global Environment) examined the research on March 19, 2021.

Deaths Connected to Pollution

The research, which was executed by scientists from Leicester in the United Kingdom and Harvard University, and the Universities of Birmingham discovered that, globally, 8 million early deaths with 350,000 in the U.S. alone, were connected to pollution from fossil fuel combustion.

Fine particulate pollution has been connected with health challenges including dementia, asthma, heart attacks, and lung cancer, as well as increase death rates from Coronavirus. Aaron, who was not involved in the research, called its evaluations "just stunning."

He explained that the teams most affected by fine particulate pollution are those that were already exposed - individuals with asthma, low-income populations, people of color, chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Aaron explained that walking away from dependency on fossil fuels would not only profit health greatly, but would also strengthen the economy with fresh jobs.

Contributing Factors

In 2012 they estimated that fine particles were a contributing factor in 99,000 deaths in the United Kingdom, more than twice the estimation released in 2016 of 40,000 deaths a year from all sources of outdoor air pollution by the Royal College of Physicians. Pollution from vehicles, power plants, and other sources responsible that year for one in five of all deaths, more thorough examination discloses.

In 2018 air pollution created by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal accounted for 8.7 million deaths worldwide, a massive one in five of all individuals who lost their lives that year, recent study has discovered.

Usage of Fossil Fuels

Nations with vastly prodigious usage of fossil fuels to power vehicles, factories, and homes are experiencing the most elevated death tolls, with the research uncovering that one in ten deaths in both the Europe and US were induced resulting pollution, along with almost a third of deaths in eastern Asia, which involved China. Death ratios in Africa and South America were considerably lower.

The massive death toll is greater than previous calculations and amazed even the researching scientists. "They were originally very reluctant when we collected the findings because they are amazing, but we are finding more and more about the influence of this pollution," explained University College London's geographer Eloise Marais and a research co-author.

Death Toll

In 2018 the 8.7 million deaths signify a "major contributor to the worldwide pressure of disease and mortality", claims the research, which is the outcome of the alliance between researchers at the University College London, University of Leicester, Harvard University, and the University of Birmingham.

The death toll surpasses the collective total of individuals who died worldwide annually from those who died of malaria and smoking tobacco.

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