OREANDA-NEWS Air pollution in its negative impact on the human body is comparable to the harm from smoking, and in some cases even exceeds it. This was stated by a group of medical scientists, who conducted relevant studies.

Experts published the results of their research in the JAMA publication. According to them, the airborne contaminated substances contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as a number of diseases associated with the respiratory system, exacerbation of diabetes, manifestation of obesity, the development of male infertility and many other diseases.

As it follows from the data of the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of residents of large cities breathe air in which the concentration of harmful substances exceeds acceptable standards. As a result, the life expectancy of people in megacities is reduced by an average of 10-12 years.

Experts note that the situation is aggravated by the increase in the proportion of ozone in the atmosphere. This may not be due to human activities, but to natural processes caused by global warming. How exactly ozone provokes the development of diseases, scientists plan to find out in the near future.