Study Links 135 Million Premature Deaths to Fine Particulate Matter Pollution

Research highlights the exacerbating role of climate patterns on air pollution over four decades, with Asia being the most affected region.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 1980 to 2020 is linked to 135 million premature deaths worldwide.
Climate phenomena like El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole worsened pollution, increasing deaths by 14%.
Asia experienced the highest number of PM2.5-related premature deaths, with over 98 million fatalities.
A third of these deaths were due to stroke, another third to ischemic heart disease, and the rest to respiratory diseases and lung cancer.
The study underscores the need for air quality strategies that consider health impacts and climate patterns.