The following text is for questions 10 to 12. According to the 2019 State of Global Air (SOGA) report, air pollution is the fifth leading factor in mortality across the world, responsible for more deaths than alcohol, malnutrition and drugs. Particularly at risk are countries in Asia and Africa, where high levels of lung-clogging particulate matter (PM 2.5)and the regular use of fuels like coal and charcoal for home cooking result in a dramatically reduced life expectancy. PM 2.5 is dangerous airborne pollution particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. According to the report, the growing burden of disease from air pollution is among the major challenges facing national governments and public health officials, with far-reaching implications for national economies and human well-being. The problem is particularly pronounced in countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, which in the past year have seen cities blanketed in thick clouds of toxic air for days at a time. On average, the SOGA report said, air pollution means a child born today in South Asia will die 30 months earlier than he or she would have done otherwise. Globally, that figure is 20 months. (Adopted from: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/03/health/air-pollution-lifeexpectancy-intl/index.html (April 6, 2019)) How does air pollution endanger us?

Question

The following text is for questions 10 to 12.

According to the 2019 State of Global Air (SOGA) report, air pollution is the fifth leading factor in mortality across the world, responsible for more deaths than alcohol, malnutrition and drugs.

Particularly at risk are countries in Asia and Africa, where high levels of lung-clogging particulate matter (PM 2.5) and the regular use of fuels like coal and charcoal for home cooking result in a dramatically reduced life expectancy. PM 2.5 is dangerous airborne pollution particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter.

According to the report, the growing burden of disease from air pollution is among the major challenges facing national governments and public health officials, with far-reaching implications for national economies and human well-being. The problem is particularly pronounced in countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, which in the past year have seen cities blanketed in thick clouds of toxic air for days at a time.

On average, the SOGA report said, air pollution means a child born today in South Asia will die 30 months earlier than he or she would have done otherwise. Globally, that figure is 20 months.

(Adopted from: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/03/health/air-pollution-lifeexpectancy-intl/index.html (April 6, 2019))

How does air pollution endanger us?