World Bank: Air pollution deaths costing global economy $225bn a year

BusinessGreen staff
clock • 3 min read

Study concludes air pollution now the deadliest form of pollution and the fourth leading risk factor for premature deaths worldwide

Premature deaths caused by poor air quality cost the global economy around $225bn in lost labour income during 2013, according to a major new economic study published today by the World Bank and the Institute...

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