There is almost no safe place on Earth. A new study reveals the extent of air pollution

There is almost no safe place on Earth.. A new study reveals the extent of air pollution

In a new study on particulate matter (PM2.5) around the world, it was found that only 0.18% of the Earth’s surface area and 0.001% of the world’s population are exposed to the safe levels recommended by the World Health Organization for fine particulate air pollution, which represents the most prominent risk factor forEnvironmental Healthin The world.

PM2.5 is a name given to fine suspended particles of dust, which have a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. These particles rise and are carried in the air as a result of human and natural activities, and are breathed by humans and various other organisms, and lead to many health problems, including the respiratory system, eyes, and skin. Therefore, it is constantly measured to determine air quality, according to regulating legal limits.

Use of satellites and artificial intelligence

While daily levels of PM2.5 in Europe and North America declined in the past two decades to 2019, levels have increased in South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, with more than 70% of days throughout the year around the world experiencing levels higher than what is safe.

The lack of air pollutant monitoring stations around the world has led to a lack of data on exposure levels to these pollutants at the local, regional and global levels. However, the study led by Professor Yuming Guo from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, which was published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health; Provided a map of how levels of PM2.5 have changed around the world in the past decades.

The research team used traditional air quality monitoring data, weather stations, and satellite-based air pollution detectors, in addition to statistical methods and artificial intelligence; To determine PM2.5 concentrations more accurately around the world.

In this study, the researchers used an innovative approach ofArtificial Intelligence, to integrate multiple meteorological and geological information; In order to estimate daily PM2.5 concentrations at the ground level with high spatial resolution, in the period between 2000 and 2019, with a focus on areas where the average daily concentration of these particles exceeds 15 micrograms/m3, as this concentration represents the safe limit set by the World Health Organization on the daily average, with a maximum of 3 to 4 days per year, while the limit for the safe annual average is 5 micrograms/m Cube.

Shocking results about air pollution

While the study reveals that annual PM2.5 concentrations and days of high exposure to fine particles in Europe and North America have decreased over two decades of the study; Exposure increased in South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, the study found that despite a slight decrease in the number of days with high fine particulate matter concentrations, PM2.5 concentrations were still higher than 15 µg/m3 on more than 70% of the days studied through 2019.

To detail the results further, in some geographical regions, such as South and East Asia; More than 90% of days had daily PM2.5 concentrations above 15 µg/m3, while Australia and New Zealand saw a significant increase in the number of days with high PM2.5 concentrations in 2019.

Globally, the annual average (from 2000 to 2019) of fine particulate matter was 32.8 µg/m3, with the highest concentrations in East Asia (50.0 µg/m3), South Asia (37.2 µg/m3), followed by North Africa (30.1 µg/m3).

was for Australia and New Zealand (8.5 µg/m3), other areas in Oceania (12.6 µg/m3), and South America (15.6 µg/m3); Lowest annual concentrations of PM2.5.

Study results and health effects

Based on the World Health Organization’s new 2021 limits for fine particulate air pollution, only 0.18% of the Earth’s surface, and 0.001% of the world’s population, was exposed to an annual average below this limit (5 µg/m3) in 2019.

According to Professor Gu, PM2.5 concentrations – which are also unsafe – show different seasonal patterns, including northeastern China and northern India, during the winter months (December, January, and February), while eastern regions of North America had higher particulate matter concentrations in the summer, between the months (June, July, and August).

Joe says: “We also recorded a relative rise in air pollution with PM2.5 particles between August and September in South America, and from June to September in sub-Saharan Africa.”

He added: “The study is important, because it provides a deep understanding of the state of outdoor air pollution now, and an understanding of its effects on human health, and through this information, policy makers, public health officials, and researchers can provide a better assessment – in the short and long term – of the health effects of air pollution, and develop strategies to reduce it.”