GENEVA – The World Health Organization says 98 per cent of residents in large cities of low- and middle-income countries are facing excessively high air pollution.
Overall, the Geneva-based health agency says its database shows more than four in five urban dwellers worldwide live in cities that don’t meet WHO air quality guidelines, including 56 per cent of city dwellers in high-income countries.
READ MORE: Canada earns ‘D’ grade on environmental record
The agency on Thursday released new information from its Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database, which covers 3,000 cities in 103 countries and is based partly on country reports.
The agency said global urban air pollution levels rose 8 per cent “despite improvements in some regions.” WHO noted that people face a higher risk of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases as air quality worsens.
Read the full report here.
- 2021 heat dome fuelled by climate change, intensified wildfire risk: study
- B.C. introduces legislation recognizing Haida Gwaii Indigenous title
- Whale experts confident B.C. orca calf will survive, find family if rescue plan succeeds
- Plastic production cap still contentious as Ottawa set to host treaty talks
Comments