A recent study has found that bettering the quality of air in countries like China and India can prevent over 1.4 million premature deaths.
The study has also alerted that deaths per capita from air pollution would increase 20-30% in the upcoming 15 years in India and China no matter what is done.
Researchers predict achieving the World Health Organisation's (WHO) particulate air quality guidelines could prevent 2.1 million deaths per year
Particulate matter are particles that can enter deep into the lungs and cause increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular disease in addition to emphysema, and even Cancer.
"We wanted to determine how much cleaner different parts of the world would need to be in order to substantially reduce death from particulate matter," said Apte, lead author of the study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
It was found that most people across the world live in areas with particulate matter concentrations far above the WHO's prescribed limits of 10 microgrammes per cubic metre. Some parts of India and China tested levels over 100.
(Image credit: Indiatimes)