WHO warns of rising air pollution levels in world’s cities

Skyscrapers are obscured by heavy haze in Beijing Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. People refused to venture outdoors and buildings disappeared into Beijing’s murky skyline on Sunday as the capital’s air quality went off the index. AP FILE PHOTO

GENEVA  — The World Health Organization says 98 percent of inhabitants in large cities of low- and middle-income countries are facing excessively high air pollution, which is on the rise in urban areas.

Overall, the Geneva-based health agency says its database shows more than four in five urban dwellers worldwide live in cities that don’t meet WHO air quality guidelines, including 56 percent of city dwellers in high-income countries.

The agency on Thursday released new information from its Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database, which covers 3,000 cities in 103 countries and is based partly on country reports.

The agency said global urban air pollution levels rose 8 percent “despite improvements in some regions.” WHO noted the higher risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases as air quality worsens. TVJ