Predicted Increase in Infant Mortality Due to SPM - 2020s

Predicted Increase in Infant Mortality Due to SPM - 2020s
In the 2020s, fine particulate matter (SPM, especially PM2.5) continues to have a significant impact on infant mortality. In particular, coal combustion in countries such as India and China is a major cause, and high concentrations of PM2.5 in urban areas are greatly increasing respiratory diseases and infant mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 230 million people in the Asia-Pacific region are exposed to harmful levels of air pollution, with 1 million children dying each year from health issues related to premature birth and low birth weight.

In India, studies using satellite data have shown that infants exposed to high levels of PM2.5 during their birth month are at a much higher risk of dying within their first year of life. Poorer children are especially affected by this pollution. In China, the disease burden caused by PM2.5 has also increased, with approximately 916,000 premature deaths in 2013 due to air pollution, including heart disease and stroke.

Additionally, PM2.5 is so fine that it easily penetrates the lungs of infants, especially those born with low birth weights, leading to serious health issues. Urban areas in both China and India have seen worsening air pollution due to economic development, and urgent sustainable pollution control measures are needed.

These countries continue to rely on fossil fuels such as coal for industrialization and urbanization, and immediate measures to reduce PM2.5 and mitigate health risks are critical.