The world lost more than 5 million lives due to air pollution in 2013, according to a report released by the World Bank. Air pollution is estimated to be the fourth leading fatal health risk worldwide.
The most number of those deaths happened in China, followed by India. While in India there were 1.4 million deaths, China lost 1.6 million lives in 2013.
Exposure to air pollution increases a person’s risks of contracting ailments such as lung cancer, stroke, heart disease and chronic bronchitis.
This environmental hazard has an impact on economic loss as well, with India losing 8.5 percent of its GDP because of it in 2013.
Many think the major causes of air pollution are vehicles and factories, but till date indoor pollution, including cooking using solid fuels, remains an equal contributor.
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