GENEVA: Nine out of 10 people globally are breathing poor quality air, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, calling for dramatic action against pollution that is blamed for more than six million deaths a year. Poorer countries have much dirtier air than the developed world, according to the report, but pollution “affects practically all countries in the world and all parts of society”, Neira said in a statement. “Fast action to tackle air pollution can’t come soon enough,” she added, urging governments to cut the number of vehicles on the road, improve waste management and promote clean cooking fuel. Six million deaths a yearThe WHO has estimated that more than six million deaths per year are linked to exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution. For example, daily air quality warnings—like those sometimes issued in Beijing—likely do little to help the average person, since the real threat is exposure to sub-par air over extended periods.

Source: Manila Times September 27, 2016 04:30 UTC