An Australian-led international study has revealed that over 1.5 million deaths worldwide each year are linked to air pollution stemming from landscape fires, underscoring the grave health risks associated with such environmental events.
The research, conducted by Monash University in Melbourne and published on Thursday, found that an average of 1.53 million deaths annually between 2000 and 2019 were attributable to the harmful air pollution caused by these fires.
A striking 90 per cent of the fatalities occurred in low and middle-income nations, with sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Asia bearing the brunt of the impact.
Health Risks and Regional Disparities
Of the annual deaths, 450,000 were linked to cardiovascular disease, while 220,000 were due to respiratory illnesses. Fine particulate matter from landscape fires accounted for 77.6 per cent of the fatalities, while surface ozone contributed the remaining 22.4 per cent.
The research highlighted stark regional inequalities, with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the highest rates of mortality linked to landscape fire-sourced air pollution.
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"As wildfires become increasingly frequent and severe due to a warming climate, urgent action is needed to address the substantial health impacts and environmental injustices tied to climate-related mortality," the authors stated.
Call for Global Support
The study advocates for high-income nations to provide financial and technological assistance to help vulnerable developing countries mitigate the health impacts of air pollution from landscape fires. It also stresses the need to address socioeconomic disparities in mortality rates.
By providing targeted support, the authors argue, wealthier nations can help reduce the disproportionate burden faced by poorer regions, ultimately contributing to a more equitable approach to combating climate-related health crises.
This comprehensive study involved contributions from researchers across the globe, making it a significant step towards understanding and addressing the human cost of air pollution caused by landscape fires.
Source: With inputs from agencies