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Air pollution

Air pollution affects millions of people worldwide, stemming from diverse sources. Both household and outdoor air pollution pose severe threats related to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, and other conditions. 

Photo by Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin.

8% of total disease burden in 2021 was caused by particulate matter air pollution (level 3), making it the leading contributor among risk factors.
48% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is attributable to air pollution.
34% of preterm births in 2021 were attributed to exposure to air pollution.
33% of deaths due to air pollution occurred in South Asia in 2021.

Interactive data visuals

GBD Compare

Compare trends in air pollution and its contribution to deaths and disability due to causes like COPD and lower respiratory infection.

Burden of Proof

Explore the strength of evidence behind various health outcomes associated with exposure to particulate matter and household air pollution.

Datasets in our catalog

Visit the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) to download our estimates and data sources for air pollution.

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Estimate

GBD 2021 Air Pollution Exposure Estimates 1990-2021

Published
June 6, 2024
Environmental monitoring

EEA Air Quality e-Reporting Database 2018

Published
January 3, 2024
Estimate

GBD 2019 Air Pollution Exposure Estimates 1990-2019

Published
March 3, 2023
Environmental monitoring

Air Quality in Andorra Database

Published
August 24, 2020
Factsheet

Air pollution data from the Global Burden of Disease

In 2021, ambient particulate matter air pollution was the leading Level 4 risk factor for DALYs among all environmental and occupational risks. It contributed to 120 million DALYs and 4.72 million deaths in 2021.

Publications

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Reports and infographics

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Infographic

Air pollution’s link to dementia

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) carried out the largest-ever study synthesizing evidence of air pollution and dementia.

Last updated
March 28, 2025
Report

State of Global Air 2024

The State of Global Air report and website bring into one place a comprehensive analysis of the levels and trends in air quality and health for every country in the world.

Michael Brauer
June 19, 2024
Report

Air quality and health in cities

This State of Global Air report provides an overview of air pollution levels and associated health impacts in cities around the world.

Michael Brauer
August 17, 2022

Videos

Video

Q&A: Does air pollution increase the risk of dementia?

In a new Burden of Proof Response Function analysis published in Nature Aging, IHME researchers performed a meta-regression for the all types of dementia combined (plus AD and vascular dementia separately — two major subtypes of dementia) to understand the relationship between fine particulate air pollution and the risk of developing these diseases.

Last updated
March 24, 2025

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