The Deadly Toll of Air Pollution: A Global Crisis in South Asia and Beyond

Rising air pollution in South Asia, one of the world's most polluted regions, can reduce life expectancy by over five years per person, according to a report by the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute. The region, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, accounts for more than half of the global life years lost to pollution. Rapid industrialization and population growth have contributed to declining air quality, with particulate pollution levels now over 50% higher than at the start of the century. Meeting World Health Organization guidelines for reducing airborne particles could increase average life expectancy by 2.3 years globally. China's efforts to reduce pollution highlight the need for accessible air quality data to combat pollution.