Mortality and burden of disease from outdoor air pollution
Situation and trends
In the year 2008, urban outdoor air pollution was responsible for 1.3 million annual deaths, respresenting 2.4% of the total deaths. Worldwide, urban air pollution is estimated to cause about 9% of the lung cancer deaths, 5% of cardiopulmonary deaths and about 1% of respiratory infection deaths.
Particulate matter pollution is an environmental health problem that affects people worldwide, but middle-income countries disproportionately experience this burden.