Average life expectancy loss worldwide 2021, by external risk
Globally, ambient particulate pollution (PM2.5) is estimated to cut the average person's life expectancy by 2.3 years. This is comparable to the average loss of life due to smoking (2.2 years). In 2021, the global population-weighted average PM2.5 level was approximately five times the World Health Organization guidelines of five micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3).