The significant drop in air pollution caused by containment measures should save 11,000 lives in Europe, according to a study published Thursday, April 30.
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Measures to combat the epidemic have led to a massive slowdown in the European economy, reducing the production of electricity from coal by 40%, and the consumption of oil by almost a third. The result: lower air pollution. The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles PM2.5 decreased by 37% and 10% respectively, according to the study by the Center for Research on Energy and Air (CREA).
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The analysis takes into account weather conditions, emissions and available data concerning the impact of this air pollution on health. The countries that should have the most deaths avoided are Germany (with a projection of 2083 avoided deaths), the United Kingdom (1752), Italy (1490), France (1230) and Spain (1081 ).
8.8 million premature deaths each year
This improvement in air quality could also avoid other health impacts, in particular 6000 new cases of asthma in children and 1900 emergency visits for asthma attacks.
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The impact of the measures against the new virus "is similar or greater in many regions of the world," Lauri Myllyvirta, lead author of the study , told AFP. In China, for example, NO2 and PM2.5 decreased by 25 and 40% during the strictest containment period. "So there could be even more deaths avoided," he added.
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Air pollution around the world reduces life expectancy by an average of three years, and causes 8.8 million premature deaths each year, according to a study published last month. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates these premature deaths at 4.2 million, but according to recent research, this would underestimate the impact of cardiovascular disease.
"Supply the planet with energy without relying on fossil fuels"
"Our analysis highlights the enormous benefits that we could gain for public health and quality of life by rapidly reducing fossil fuels in a sustainable manner, " commented Lauri Myllyvirta. These elements should guide governments when implementing recovery plans for their economies, noted Maria Neira of WHO in response to the study.
"When we finally take off our masks, we want to continue breathing clean air ," she added, calling for ways to " power the planet without relying on fossil fuels " .
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