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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Fiona Harvey Environment editor

Almost 2,000 children die every day from air pollution, report finds

Air pollution forms a visible fog over Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria
Air pollution caused by industry, cars, wildfires and cooking fuels, seen here in Lagos, Nigeria, is driving a steep rise in disease. Photograph: Florian Plaucheur/AFP/Getty Images

Nearly 2,000 children under five are dying every day from air pollution, which has overtaken poor sanitation and a lack of clean water to become the second biggest health risk factor for young children around the world.

More than 8 million deaths, of children and adults, were caused by air pollution in 2021, according to a new study from the Health Effects Institute (HEI), as both outdoor and indoor pollution continue to take an increasing toll on health.

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