Air pollution silently claims over 7 million lives every year.
This is one of the most urgent yet overlooked global health crises, and its effects aren't equally shared. At the heart of this issue is PM₂.₅, a microscopic pollutant that quietly inflames lungs, damages hearts, and shortens lives, especially in less-developed countries.
Air pollution isn't just an environmental issue, it's a health crisis. Tiny particles like PM₂.₅ penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, raising the risk of heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illness. But the burden isn't equal everywhere: countries with lower development levels face much greater health impacts.
To make these patterns clearer, we built the Country Profile Tool. It allows anyone to explore how long-term PM₂.₅ exposure affects health outcomes across different countries, and how these impacts change with socio-demographic development.
Explore any country's air pollution data and health impacts instantly. See current PM₂.₅ levels, development status, and predicted disease burden all in one interactive dashboard.
Get instant profiles showing current PM₂.₅ levels, development status (SDI), and predicted health impacts for any country.
Use our findings to inform advocacy, research, or policy discussions about air pollution and health equity.
Understanding the problem is just the first step. Here are concrete actions we can take to address air pollution and its health impacts.
Advocate for stronger air quality standards based on WHO guidelines. Support policies that transition energy systems to cleaner sources.
Check air quality regularly using reliable sources or local monitoring apps.
Follow WHO guidelines which recommend PM₂.₅ levels not exceeding 5μg/m³ annually.
Limit outdoor activities on high-pollution days. Use N95 masks and air purifiers in homes and workplaces.
Use our Country Profile Tool to explore air pollution data and health impacts specific to different regions.
Share data-driven insights with local policymakers to advocate for evidence-based regulations.
Support research into health impacts of air pollution.
Interested in collaboration, media inquiries, or learning more about our research? We'd love to hear from you.
This site is for research communication purposes only. Data used is sourced from IHME GBD and WHO. All findings are based on statistical modeling and should not be used for clinical or policy decisions without further validation.