- Economic Costs Reach $8.1 Trillion Annually as Experts Warn of Pollution’s Widespread Health Impacts
BRUSSELS: Air pollution was associated with nearly eight million deaths worldwide in 2023, according to the State of Global Air Report 2025, while its economic impact is estimated at $8.1 trillion (€7.05 trillion) annually—equivalent to approximately six per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Bank.
Health experts are warning that air pollution remains a largely overlooked threat, with harmful particles capable of affecting multiple organs, including the brain. Dr María Neira, former Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), told Euronews Earth that pollution remains largely invisible to the public despite its far-reaching consequences.
She said pollutant particles could reach “any organ” in the body, including the brain, and contribute to cognitive decline and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. According to Euronews, Breathe Cities, a global initiative focused on reducing urban air pollution, is currently working with 16 cities worldwide to improve access to air-quality data and support the implementation of clean-air policies.
London has recorded a significant reduction in deaths associated with toxic air since the introduction of its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and other clean-air measures. An independent study by Imperial College London estimated that deaths linked to air pollution had declined by approximately 40 per cent. In Sofia, Bulgaria, road traffic and wood-burning heating systems remain the two major sources of air pollution.
Dr Kostadin Kostadinov of the Medical University of Plovdiv told Euronews Earth that Sofia was estimated to be among the cities with the highest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in 2023.
The situation highlights the continuing challenges faced by urban communities seeking to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
Political Commitment Crucial to Tackling Pollution
Neira said the principal obstacle to improving air quality was increasingly political will rather than technological limitations. She pointed to resistance from fossil fuel and transport industries as cities pursue renewable energy and more sustainable forms of mobility.
Experts have also warned that climate change could further complicate efforts to combat air pollution by intensifying environmental conditions that contribute to poor air quality.
Breathe Cities is preparing a second phase of its programme, with plans to extend support to additional communities while building on progress achieved in London, Sofia and other participating cities.
BY: The Times Union
