7 million deaths annually linked to air pollution

World Health Organisation present the facts.  Some good statistics (to help motivate research in this area).  City level data on air pollution is useful and this weblink has a number of excellent data sources and technical information for researchers to use.

7 million deaths annually linked to air pollution [WHO]

In new estimates released, WHO reports that in 2012 around 7 million people died - one in eight of total global deaths – as a result of air pollution exposure. This finding more than doubles previous estimates and confirms that air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk. Reducing air pollution could save millions of lives.

 3.7 million deaths attributable to ambient air pollution

 4.3 million deathsattributable to household air pollution

 7 million deathscaused by air pollution in 2012, covering both household and ambient air pollution

Other reports:

Air Pollution Kills 7 Million People Every Year, World Health Organization Report Finds [Huffington Post]

Pollution is the world’s biggest killer: Dirty air has overtaken heart disease, diet and even smoking-related deaths as the biggest preventable killer [Daily Mail]