Study: Global Pollution
Nine million people die prematurely every year from environmental toxins: fine dust in the air, pollution in the water, pollutants in the soil: according to an international study, environmental pollution is one of the greatest health hazards – with more fatalities than war, terrorism or malaria.
A study published in the journal The Lancet shows that pollution accounts for one in six premature deaths worldwide. In 2019, nine million people died prematurely due to pollution. The main causes of premature deaths are poor air quality and chemical pollutants such as lead. Air pollution accounts for 6.7 million premature deaths, water pollution accounts for 1.4 million, and lead exposure accounts for 900,000, according to the study.
Study: Air pollution can weaken bones, osteoporosis twice as fast
Asthma, allergies and respiratory diseases? Polluted air can trigger even more: A study has now found that it even affects the bones and threatens bone loss.
People living in metropolitan areas with high levels of air pollution breathe in harmful air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide with every breath they take. It is known that these pollutants not only cause respiratory diseases, but can also promote cardiovascular diseases, allergies, thrombosis and cancer. A recent study from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health has now shown that polluted air can also cause bone loss. The study found that pollutants from car exhaust can accelerate osteoporosis by a factor of two. The Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Office of Public Health therefore warn of the health risks from air pollution.
The health study showed that women living in areas with high levels of air pollution have below-average bone density. This result indicates an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Data analysis has thus shown a link between air pollution and bone health in women.
Fine dust and co with almost everyone in unhealthy amounts
A study published in the journal The Lancet Planet Health found that almost the entire world population – 99 percent – is exposed to unhealthy levels of the fine and harmful air pollutant known as PM 2.5. These findings underscore the growing urgency for policymakers, public health officials and researchers to focus on tackling the major sources of air pollution, such as emissions from power plants, industrial plants and vehicles.
