Air Pollution Now Second Leading Cause of Early Death Globally

New report reveals nearly 2,000 child deaths daily linked to air pollution, surpassing tobacco and poor diet as a major health risk.

Air pollution caused 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, accounting for 12% of all fatalities.
Over 700,000 children under five died from air pollution-related health issues in 2021.
Indoor cooking with dirty fuels in Africa and Asia is a significant contributor to child mortality.
PM2.5 pollutants are linked to increased risks of lung cancer, heart disease, and other serious health conditions.
Ozone pollution, exacerbated by climate change, contributed to nearly 500,000 deaths in 2021.