Externalities: Air pollution is the new tobacco

This WHO clip looks at the impact of air pollution on the health of the world's children. It is estimated that 1.8 billion children breathe polluted air, equivalent to 9 out of 10 of the world's children with 600,000 of them dying as the result of polluted air each year. This is remarkable stuff. Sobering.

According to the WHO report, ambient & household air pollution caused 7 million (or 1 in 8) deaths in 2016, including 595,000 children. 93% of children under 5 live in areas where WHO Air Quality Guidelines (PM2.5) are exceeded.

We have added below an article from the Conversation that argues that air pollution can contribute to dementia and stunted brain development among the young.