WHO: Air pollution is worse than we thought - but there's hope we can fix it

'In 2019, more than 90 per cent of the global population lived in areas where concentrations exceeded the 2005 WHO air quality guideline for long term exposure to PM2.5'

'Low levels of air pollution are more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced yesterday.

In its first global update since 2005, WHO adjusted almost all of its Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) to account for the damage being done by invisible pollutants.

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Which pollutants is WHO concerned about?

The six pollutants that WHO has updated its guidelines for are: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO).

Particulate matter, which comes from fuel combustion in transport, energy, industry, agriculture and other sectors, is a growing problem. Particulates equal to or smaller than 10 microns (µm) in diameter - aka smaller than a fifth of the width of a human hair - are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs. While PM2.5 can even enter the bloodstream.

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In 2019, more than 90 per cent of the global population lived in areas where concentrations exceeded the 2005 WHO air quality guideline for long term exposure to PM2.5'

- WHO: Air pollution is worse than we thought - but there's hope we can fix it, September 24, 2021



Context

Wood-burning stove ‘invisible killer' warning

(Global Healing 2020 - 2050)(Clean air, soil & water) - '..a complete phase-out of wood burning for power, heat and road transport as soon as possible.'

Russia Breaks 16-Year Air Pollution Record - Russians See Pollution as a Greater Threat Than Terrorism


'[China's] Central Environmental Inspection Team (CEIT) blasted the National Energy Administration (NEA)'

(2021-2030) - EU Action Plan: “Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil”

(IEA)(EU)(2021-2030) - '..net-zero emissions..' - 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil'


(Rapid Energy Transition 2021 - 2030)(Fusion) - '..Helios could soon produce clean hydrogen that’s cheaper than oil .. abandoned immediate plans to develop its LNG sector in favor of hydrogen..'

(EU)(2021-2030) - '..net-zero emissions..' - '..to End Combustion-Engine Era in Autos.'

'..if we can cut global emissions in half by 2030 and reach net zero by the middle of this century, we can halt and possibly reverse the rise in temperatures.'


(The Lancet) - Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health

(Phase out fossil-fuel extraction) - Climate change: Fossil fuels must stay underground, scientists say

Estimate: October, 2025 – Safire Plasma (beyond fusion) Reactors commercially available – Abundance