The state of air quality and health impacts in Africa
Nearly all the African continent faces severe health impacts caused by air pollution, with several countries experiencing some of the highest levels of air pollution in the world, according to this new HEI report. The report, The State of Air Quality and Health Impacts in Africa, provides a comprehensive analysis of major air pollution sources and related health impacts in the continent that is home to more than 1.2 billion people. According to the report, air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death across Africa, which is home to five of the top ten most heavily polluted countries worldwide in terms of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In 2019, air pollution contributed to an estimated 1.1 million deaths in Africa, with 63% linked to exposure to household air pollution (HAP).
