Air pollution caused by fires kills one and a half million people worldwide every year. Moreover, the vast majority of deaths occur in developing countries. The study was published in the journal Lancet.
450,000 deaths per year are due to cardiovascular diseases caused by fire smoke, and 220,000 deaths are due to respiratory diseases caused by the same cause. Air pollution from both uncontrolled and planned fires, such as agricultural burns, causes a total of one and a half million deaths per year.
More than 90 percent of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with almost 40 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. The leader is China.
Scientists warn that deaths will increase as climate change intensifies, causing more frequent and intense fires.
The authors of the study emphasized that although they contribute little to global warming, developing countries suffer the most. People in poor countries often do not have access to protective equipment such as air purifiers, masks, or the ability to evacuate.
The study comes as Ecuador declares a state of emergency over forest fires that have destroyed more than 10,000 hectares and calls on people to take better care of nature.
Previous scientists was created The first global map of climate-hazardous areas
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Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.