Researchers from China and Australia studied the Earth’s air and concluded that only less than 1% of the planet could be considered safe. The results of the scientists’ work told the journal lancet.
The authors examined the level of air pollution with PM2.5 particles, whose inhalation of large doses can trigger cardiovascular disease. For example, in 2019 only 0.18% of the Earth’s surface and 0.001% of the world’s population were exposed to average annual PM2.5 exposure at concentrations below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of 5 µg/m3.
The highest levels of harmful particles were detected in the air in eastern and southern Asia and North Africa. A decrease in the content of harmful particles was noted in Europe and North America.
The researchers also noted that the results of the study may not reflect the true picture due to the small number of monitoring stations in some parts of the planet.
Formerly academics at King’s College London to solvethat air pollution may increase the risk of hypertension in adolescents. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.