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Melbourne, Australia – A groundbreaking international study led by Monash University has revealed that air pollution from wildfires contributes to over 1.5 million deaths annually worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for global action to mitigate its deadly effects.
Published on Thursday, the research analyzed data from 2000 to 2019, finding that 1.53 million deaths each year were linked to health issues caused by landscape fire-sourced air pollution. Over 90% of these fatalities occurred in low- and middle-income countries, with the highest mortality rates reported in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as regions of Southeast, South, and East Asia.
The study, which involved researchers from multiple universities across the globe, offered the most comprehensive assessment to date of the health risks posed by air pollution from landscape fires. Of the annual deaths, 450,000 were attributed to cardiovascular disease, while 220,000 were linked to respiratory illnesses.
The primary culprit was fine particulate matter from wildfires, responsible for 77.6% of the deaths, with surface ozone accounting for the remaining 22.4%.
“As wildfires become increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change, the associated health impacts demand urgent attention,” the study’s authors emphasized. They also noted the environmental injustice of the situation, as the majority of deaths occur in regions least equipped to combat the problem.
The researchers called on high-income countries to provide financial and technological support to developing nations disproportionately affected by wildfire-sourced air pollution. This, they argued, is essential not only to address the health crisis but also to tackle the socioeconomic disparities that exacerbate mortality rates.
The findings come amid growing concerns about the rising intensity of wildfires worldwide, driven by a warming climate. Experts warn that without decisive action, the devastating health impacts will continue to escalate, particularly in vulnerable regions.
This study underscores the critical need for global cooperation to address the dual threats of climate change and public health, aiming to reduce wildfire frequency and mitigate the deadly toll of their pollution.
