Swiss analysis of different sources of air pollution revealed poor air quality is the fourth biggest risk factor for early death
Globally, breathing polluted air has been identified as the fourth largest risk factor for premature death. The real health impact comes from particles that pollute the air we breathe. Industrial diseases have proven that inhaling some types of particles we breathe come from a wide variety of sources, being unclear what sources cause the most harm.
In a recent study, Swiss scientists sampled particles from five locations dominated by different sources: a bust road, a courtyard in the centre of Zurich, and mountain valleys. Each sample was then tested to see the extent it overwhelms protective chemicals acting as natural defences in our lungs.
The chemical composition was also calculated to match them to their toxicity in order to estimate how much we each breathe.
The greatest toxicity was found in samples from sources that had poorly controlled environments, such as dusts from tyre, brakes and road wear, and wood burning, which notably has recently increased as a result of policies on renewable energy. Managing these would need specific policies focussed on reducing traffic volumes.
