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Having lived in Central America, I can tell you that almost none of the recommendations[1] here are relevant, at least in relation to the kind of air pollution

Having lived in Central America, I can tell you that almost none of the recommendations[1] here are relevant, at least in relation to the kind of air pollution that kills the numbers of people shown in those graphs. Smoky fires (mostly for cooking) inside small huts are everywhere in much of the world, and very few of the affected people understand the risks. Even if they did, they rarely have any viable alternatives. If you tried to tell those people about particle counters or HEPA filters, you might as well tell them about cold fusion while you're at it. Sure, all the things mentioned might help, but for anyone with the means to follow the recommendations in this article (and with the ability to read an article), I can almost guarantee that air quality is not going to be a major factor in your life expectancy. [1] With the exception of "Be careful about smoke when cooking."

briefcomment 5y ago
It's not just about life expectancy, but life quality. I think we'll one day be surprised just how many mental health and chronic illnesses are significantly attributable to air pollution, in all its forms.
- curiousgeorgio 5y ago
  That's a fair point, though I'd still wager that for those of us not cooking over open fires, those effects are likely very minimal - at least in contrast to the people mentioned earlier.
  - briefcomment 5y ago
    Everything's relative, sure, but pay close attention to your sense of well being the next time you're in a car with an air freshener, or someone sprays febreeze in a room. You'll probably start to feel uneasy and/or have dulled senses very quickly. Do that often enough, and the abuse adds up.
randomsquared 5y ago
Even here in Poland. People burn anything to stay warm, oil even. The unhealthy pollution starts in November then ends in March. The entire time everyone, including children, are outside, pretending like it's not a problem. People running in the streets. And when you bring it up to people they get angry. Schools don't close, everyone continues like it's normal. I'm moving back to the west coast USA soon. I could live in a shack and my family would be better off. People complain about the wildfires, but in Poland they get it every year, and for longer. Try forbidding your kids to go out(too young to wear a mask) the entire winter... Even if you somehow make the perfect environment at home, those kids will eventually have to physically go to school and brave pollution. Before the pandemic I was the only crazy one with a mask during high pollution days. If kids wore a mask because of pollution then I was told they would be ostracized. So, other than that elephant in the room, it's a perfect country.
- cja 5y ago
  Thank you. I thought I was the only one in Poland with this view! My Polish wife gets angry when I mention it. I'm trying to rescue us (we have a young child) but she is resistant. Well done for escaping.
- scotty79 5y ago
  Thank you. As a native Polish dweller I'm fully with you on this one. Fortunalelly I have no kids so I just spend winters at home with my air purifier and laugh brutally at anyone concerned if their kale is exactly organic. Pandemic, making wearing mask socially acceptable really did me a solid.

briefcomment 5y ago

It's not just about life expectancy, but life quality. I think we'll one day be surprised just how many mental health and chronic illnesses are significantly attributable to air pollution, in all its forms.

curiousgeorgio 5y ago
That's a fair point, though I'd still wager that for those of us not cooking over open fires, those effects are likely very minimal - at least in contrast to the people mentioned earlier.
- briefcomment 5y ago
  Everything's relative, sure, but pay close attention to your sense of well being the next time you're in a car with an air freshener, or someone sprays febreeze in a room. You'll probably start to feel uneasy and/or have dulled senses very quickly. Do that often enough, and the abuse adds up.

randomsquared 5y ago

Even here in Poland. People burn anything to stay warm, oil even. The unhealthy pollution starts in November then ends in March. The entire time everyone, including children, are outside, pretending like it's not a problem. People running in the streets. And when you bring it up to people they get angry. Schools don't close, everyone continues like it's normal. I'm moving back to the west coast USA soon. I could live in a shack and my family would be better off. People complain about the wildfires, but in Poland they get it every year, and for longer. Try forbidding your kids to go out(too young to wear a mask) the entire winter... Even if you somehow make the perfect environment at home, those kids will eventually have to physically go to school and brave pollution. Before the pandemic I was the only crazy one with a mask during high pollution days. If kids wore a mask because of pollution then I was told they would be ostracized. So, other than that elephant in the room, it's a perfect country.

cja 5y ago
Thank you. I thought I was the only one in Poland with this view! My Polish wife gets angry when I mention it. I'm trying to rescue us (we have a young child) but she is resistant. Well done for escaping.
scotty79 5y ago
Thank you. As a native Polish dweller I'm fully with you on this one. Fortunalelly I have no kids so I just spend winters at home with my air purifier and laugh brutally at anyone concerned if their kale is exactly organic. Pandemic, making wearing mask socially acceptable really did me a solid.