91,000 Premature annual deaths in US linked to air pollution from oil and sas, people of color bear brunt
Unsplash
Unsplash· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Earth.Org or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A new study links 91,000 premature deaths annually in the US to air pollution from oil and gas industries
• Researchers analyzed pollution across the entire oil and gas lifecycle — from extraction to consumption
• Alongside deaths, the pollution is linked to over 10,000 preterm births, 216,000 cases of childhood asthma, and 1,610 cancer cases each year
🔭 The context: The US is the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas, with production up 40% and consumption up 8% since 2017
• Harmful pollutants include fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone — key drivers of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
• Communities of color — Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations — bear the heaviest pollution burden, especially in states like California, Texas, and Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley”
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Air pollution ranks as the world’s second leading risk factor for death, with PM2.5 alone causing an estimated 7 million deaths globally every year
• The findings highlight environmental injustice, with minority communities disproportionately exposed to toxic emissions
• Reducing fossil fuel pollution is critical not only for climate goals but also for public health and social equity
⏭️ What's next: Continued research and policy action are needed to address pollution from fossil fuel lifecycles and protect vulnerable communities
• Stricter enforcement of air quality standards, aligned with the WHO’s updated guidelines, can help mitigate health risks
• Transitioning to cleaner energy sources remains essential to cutting emissions and improving air quality nationwide
💬 One quote: “Hispanic and African-American communities breathe in 63% and 56% more health-harming pollution than they produce.” – Study findings
📈 One stat: PM2.5 exposure causes an average loss of 2.3 years in life expectancy worldwide
Sustainability needs facts, not just promises. illuminem’s Data Hub™ gives you transparent emissions data, corporate climate targets, and performance benchmarks for thousands of companies worldwide
Click for more news covering the latest on pollution and social responsibility
illuminem briefings

Pollution · Wellbeing
illuminem briefings

Pollution · Nature
illuminem briefings

Pollution · Public Governance
The Guardian

Pollution · Nature
The Washington Post

Pollution · Wellbeing
Euronews

Pollution · Cities