Air pollution: Two contaminants linked to thousands of early NZ deaths, hospitalisationsTwo air pollutants are quietly contributing to thousands of premature deaths in New Zealand every year, shows a new analysis that’s prompted fresh calls for tougher regulations. In 2016 – the most recent year for which suitable population, health, and air quality data was available – the pollutants were linked to an estimated 13,155 hospitalisations and 3,317 premature deaths. Harris pointed out that air pollution itself was made up of a complex mix of gases and particles. “Over 3,300 premature deaths per year are related to air pollution in Aotearoa New Zealand, that’s more than melanoma, diabetes, colon cancer, and road accidents combined. The pandemic had also brought a growth in interest in monitoring indoor air quality, most notably in schools, he said.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 09, 2023 02:26 UTC