Even Low Levels of Air Pollution Increase Risk of Death
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Millions of Canadians face increased mortality risks due to air pollution, even at the lowest levels of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), according to a new report. Long-term outdoor PM2.5 exposures as low as 2.5 µg/m3 were associated with an increased risk of death. Most national and international air quality standards have limits that are between two times and five times higher.
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@gursharan Air pollution has long been associated with increased risks for heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and respiratory disease. Globally, fine particulate matter typically stems from fossil fuel emissions and wildfires and accounts for more than 1 million deaths globally. In Canada, major sources of PM2.5 include wildfires, transportation emissions, and wood fuel combustion for heating homes. Although air pollution concentrations have declined in high-income countries such as Canada in recent decades, studies have indicated that long-term exposure to low concentrations of PM2.5 can still increase the risk for death.