Environmental pollution, according to new estimates, leads to more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. However, air pollution is one of the leading causes of death, but it is a neglected problem in many countries.
Air and water pollution, lead poisoning and workplace pollution caused the death of 8 million 300 thousand people in 2017, according to estimates.
This number is more than deaths caused by tobacco consumption, alcohol and drug use, unhealthy diet, infectious diseases, and war.
However, pollution draws less attention in most parts of the world compared to other factors.
These findings are included in the report prepared by researchers, ministries of health with the participation of NGOs of the Global Health and Pollution Alliance and the United Nations. “The report shows that the global health crisis caused by the pollution is still being ignored and not enough resources are available to tackle this issue,” said Rachael Kupka, director of the organization.
The report shows that pollution caused by factors such as flue smoke and poor hygiene conditions has decreased, but pollution caused by factory, motor vehicle and toxic chemicals has increased.
Rachael Kupka said that international investments focus on traditional pollution. ”A lot of investment has been made to combat water pollution. For this reason, there was a decrease in death cases caused by water pollution. However, problems related to modern pollution do not receive the same amount of attention and cannot receive resources ”.
Most pollution-related deaths in the world are recorded in India and China. Nigeria, Indonesia and Pakistan follow these two countries. America is seventh on the list.
Air pollution is responsible for 40 percent of global pollution-related deaths. Rachael Kupka notes that there are already measures to reduce the impact of air pollution. ”Many countries have common pollution-related problems. There are low-cost measures that countries, communities and cities can take. These can reduce the diseases caused by pollution, ”he says.
Some of the steps that authorities can take are the restrictive practices related to factory chimneys and motor vehicle emissions and the necessity for workers to wear protective clothing.
