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Reversal of trends in global fine particulate matter air pollution

Author

Listed:
  • Chi Li

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

  • Aaron van Donkelaar

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

  • Melanie S. Hammer

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

  • Erin E. McDuffie

    (Washington University in St. Louis
    Climate Change Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

  • Richard T. Burnett

    (University of Washington
    Health Canada)

  • Joseph V. Spadaro

    (Spadaro Environmental Research Consultants (SERC)
    World Health Organization (Consultant))

  • Deepangsu Chatterjee

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

  • Aaron J. Cohen

    (University of Washington
    Health Effects Institute)

  • Joshua S. Apte

    (University of California
    University of California, Berkeley)

  • Veronica A. Southerland

    (George Washington University)

  • Susan C. Anenberg

    (George Washington University)

  • Michael Brauer

    (University of Washington
    University of British Columbia)

  • Randall V. Martin

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

Abstract

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the world’s leading environmental health risk factor. Quantification is needed of regional contributions to changes in global PM2.5 exposure. Here we interpret satellite-derived PM2.5 estimates over 1998-2019 and find a reversal of previous growth in global PM2.5 air pollution, which is quantitatively attributed to contributions from 13 regions. Global population-weighted (PW) PM2.5 exposure, related to both pollution levels and population size, increased from 1998 (28.3 μg/m3) to a peak in 2011 (38.9 μg/m3) and decreased steadily afterwards (34.7 μg/m3 in 2019). Post-2011 change was related to exposure reduction in China and slowed exposure growth in other regions (especially South Asia, the Middle East and Africa). The post-2011 exposure reduction contributes to stagnation of growth in global PM2.5-attributable mortality and increasing health benefits per µg/m3 marginal reduction in exposure, implying increasing urgency and benefits of PM2.5 mitigation with aging population and cleaner air.

Suggested Citation

  • Chi Li & Aaron van Donkelaar & Melanie S. Hammer & Erin E. McDuffie & Richard T. Burnett & Joseph V. Spadaro & Deepangsu Chatterjee & Aaron J. Cohen & Joshua S. Apte & Veronica A. Southerland & Susan , 2023. "Reversal of trends in global fine particulate matter air pollution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-41086-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41086-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Huanbi Yue & Chunyang He & Qingxu Huang & Da Zhang & Peijun Shi & Enayat A. Moallemi & Fangjin Xu & Yang Yang & Xin Qi & Qun Ma & Brett A. Bryan, 2024. "Substantially reducing global PM2.5-related deaths under SDG3.9 requires better air pollution control and healthcare," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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