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#170 – Santosh Harish on how air pollution is responsible for ~12% of global deaths — and how to get that number down

80,000 Hours Podcast

NOTE

Air Pollution is a Cocktail of Particulate Matter That Can Harm All Parts of the Huma Body

Air pollution, particularly particulate matter, is a mixture of various substances suspended in the air, including harmless ones like soil dust and sea salt, as well as toxic ones like lead and heavy metals. These particles, smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, can enter the lungs and circulation, reaching different organs to cause harm. Inorganic compounds like sulphates and nitrates from vehicular and coal emissions add to the harmful mix.

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