Recent data from the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) underscores the significant toll air pollution takes on global life expectancy, even though there was a slight decline in pollution levels in 2022.

If fine particulate matter (PM2.5) adhered to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended guidelines, the average person could extend their lifespan by nearly two years, potentially saving 14.9 billion life-years across the globe.

The Global Toll of Air Pollution

Air pollution, especially from PM2.5 particles, is the leading external threat to human health, exceeding the risks posed by smoking, alcohol, traffic accidents, and HIV/AIDS.

According to data from the University of Chicago’s AQLI, individuals living in heavily polluted areas have a life expectancy that is 2.7 years shorter than those in cleaner surroundings. In 2021, air pollution was responsible for 8.1 million deaths worldwide, translating to about 22,192 deaths each day. Tragically, a child dies every minute due to air pollution.

Ghana’s Air Quality Crisis

Air pollution poses a serious problem in Ghana, having claimed 28,000 lives in 2019, which is more than the number of deaths from malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis combined. The country grapples with major pollution sources, including industrial emissions, waste burning, and an aging public transportation fleet.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) remain the top health issue, with the Ayawaso West Municipality alone reporting 25,700 cases in 2023—almost twice the number reported in 2021.

Michael Greenstone, the creator of the AQLI and a professor at the University of Chicago, highlighted that while air pollution is a global concern, its impact is particularly severe in certain regions.

“In some places, people lose as much as six years of life due to air pollution,” he said. He also highlighted that the worst-affected areas often suffer from a lack of ambition in setting and enforcing pollution control policies.

Air Quality Standards and Monitoring Gaps

Among 252 countries and territories, 94 have established national pollution standards, yet 37 of these do not comply with them.

Over half of the countries do not have any pollution standards in place, and most of those without standards neither monitor air quality nor make pollution data publicly available. This lack of data obstructs the implementation of effective pollution control strategies.

Efforts to Combat Air Pollution

The Clean Air Fund, a global initiative, has been active in Ghana, investing over $700,000 in 2023 to combat air pollution. Accra recently joined the Breathe Cities Initiative to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions by 30% and improve public health. Desmond Appiah, Country Lead of the Clean Air Fund, highlighted the urgent need for local research to link pollution levels to health outcomes more effectively.

Regional Insights

In the Middle East and North Africa, pollution rose by 13% in 2022, cutting life expectancy by up to 4 years in some areas. In Central and West Africa, air pollution is as deadly as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and unsafe water, reducing life expectancy by up to 5 years in the most polluted regions.

Key Findings from the AQLI 2024 Report

The effects of PM2.5 on life expectancy are on par with the risks of smoking and far exceed the dangers posed by alcohol consumption, road accidents, and HIV/AIDS.

Around 77% of nations either have no national pollution regulations or do not comply with the existing standards.

In Central and West Africa, air pollution poses a health threat comparable to the most severe diseases in the area.

While countries like China have made strides, extending life expectancy by two years through pollution control, many regions still face inadequate pollution monitoring and enforcement, endangering millions of lives.

Tackling air pollution is a crucial global health issue that demands immediate and coordinated action to protect lives and enhance public health.

Find the full report below

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