The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health finds pollution causes 16% of all deaths globally, an estimated 9 million premature deaths. Three times more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined and fifteen times more than all wars and other forms of violence.
Bruce Lanphear, a health sciences professor at Simon Fraser University says pollution kills more people than smoking, hunger and natural disasters.
Lanphear warns small exposures to chemicals in early childhood can result in lifelong disease as well as reduced learning and earning potential.
Burning fossil fuels in higher-income countries and the burning of biomass in lower-income countries account for 85% of airborne pollution. Major emitters of carbon dioxide are coal fired power plants, chemical producers, mining operations, and vehicles.
