The Chinese atmosphere makes people lose 25 months of life

Exposure to air pollutants causes one million Chinese people to die early each year.

Pollution is the fourth leading cause of death for humans, after heart disease, diet and smoking, according to a report published June 27 by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Global deaths due to pollution are estimated at 6.5 million, of which China accounts for a significant portion, according to SCMP.

Air pollution is a serious problem in China.(Photo: China News).

The use of coal and other organic materials in industrial plants and as home fuel is the largest source of environmental pollution in China . Nearly 97% of people in the country are regularly exposed to toxic PM2.5 dust in the air, which can shorten their lifespan by up to 25 months. Home fuel alone has caused 1.2 million deaths, the IEA report said.

Last year, China's capital, Beijing, for the first time lifted air pollution to "red alert" levels.

"Red alert is a sign of progress in government awareness of how they must react in difficult circumstances," said Li Yan of Greenpeace in China.

During the preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games, the level of air pollution in the Chinese capital decreased when the state introduced regulations on emissions from cars and factories. As a result, children born in Beijing were older and healthier at that time. China will do this again to prepare for the upcoming G20 Summit in August.

Although these are only temporary measures, it proves that changes, if implemented, can greatly improve the quality of life and may reduce the level of air pollution exposed throughout China. . They may be a good example for developing countries that also use coal and organic materials as fuel.