The Impact of Fine Dust on People and Ecosystems

Air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), greenhouse gases, forest fires, and various compounds like nitrogen and sulfur, burdens both people and ecosystems. It affects agriculture through reduced sunlight, burning of fields, and air pollution from fertilizers and manure.

This pollution causes over 4.5 million deaths annually, with Europe and China showing improvement but North America facing deterioration due to forest fires. Fine particulate matter penetrates deep into the respiratory system, damaging lungs.

Additionally, studies show that PM2.5 pollution impairs male fertility by 24% and contributes to a 14% rise in female infertility over 35, highlighting the crucial impact on birth rates and maternal age in Western countries.