According to a landmark study published in Cardiovascular Research , air pollution led to an estimated globally in a single year. Researchers found that the toxic mix of gases and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) causes an average reduction of 2.9 years in life expectancy worldwide.

The Global Threat: Air Pollution Slashes Human Lifespan by Nearly Three Years

New research indicates that air pollution has become a "global pandemic," shortening the average human life expectancy by nearly . This impact is now considered more dangerous to public health than tobacco smoking, HIV/AIDS, and all forms of violence combined. A Hidden Public Health Crisis