Air pollution caused almost eight million deaths worldwide in 2023, according to the State of Global Air Report 2025. The health impact is estimated by the World Bank to cost $8.1 trillion (€7.05 trillion) a year, around six per cent of global GDP.
"Pollution remains invisible for most people," Dr María Neira, former director of environment, climate change and health at the World Health Organization, tells Euronews Earth. She says pollutant particles reach "any organ" in the body, including the brain, contributing to cognitive decline and diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and dementia.
