Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says

Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.

2 minute read

August 31, 2023, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Air pollution is visible in the air around high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

More than 20 million people live in greater Dhaka, Bangladesh. | Friemann / Adobe Stock

Air pollution is the most significant public health threat on the planet, according to the most annual Air Quality Index report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC). According to the report, just meeting the World Health organization’s guideline limits for fine particulate pollution would add 2.3 years to the expected lifespan of the average individual.

An article by Issam Ahmed for Phys.org provides more details from the study, noting that pollution from vehicles, industry, wildfire, and more contributes to lung disease, heart disease, strokes, and cancer.

“Asia and Africa bear the greatest burden yet have some of the weakest infrastructure to deliver citizens timely, accurate data,” writes Ahmed. “They also receive tiny slices of an already small global philanthropic pie.”

Among the countries facing the worst air pollution in the world, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan top the list. The article also notes that China as made significant progress in improving its air quality. “Its air pollution dropped 42.3 percent between 2013 and 2021. If the improvements are sustained, the average Chinese citizen will be able to live 2.2 years longer,” reports Ahmed.

In the United States, wildfires are significantly worsening air quality in parts of the country. “For example, California's historic wildfire season of 2021 saw Plumas County receive an average concentration of fine particulate matter more than five times over the WHO guideline,” according to Ahmed.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 in Phys.org

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

April 27 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY