Link between clear air and fewer suicides is another reason to act
- A study lends support to the argument that there is more to environmental protection than just physical health and economic benefits
Environmental protection tends to be an afterthought rather than a priority for governments the world over, especially when such measures may take a long time to produce concrete results.
But it justifiably becomes a pressing agenda when put against the actual health and economic benefits for the people and society.
From fighting air and water pollution to cutting waste and promoting recycling, there is no shortage of studies and data to prompt a greater sense of urgency for actions.
A fresh study has added a new dimension for policymakers’ considerations. According to the research findings recently published in the journal Nature Sustainability, there is a causal relationship between cleaner air and lower suicide rates in China.
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Researchers noted that suicide rates had fallen much faster than in the rest of the world in recent years, while air pollution levels in China had also declined at the same time.
While previous studies which often focus on physical health issues related to respiratory or cardiovascular systems, the impact of air quality on mental health as well as cognitive development has received growing attention.
It is believed that about 46,000 deaths by suicide in the country between 2013 and 2017 had been prevented thanks to the battle against pollutants, especially the fine particulates of less than 2.5 microns known as PM2.5.
The figure accounted for 10 per cent of the observed decline in suicide rates over that period.
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Given suicide is a complex issue associated with various reasons, the effect of pollution on mental wellness is a new area that warrants more detailed research.
But the findings lend support to the argument that there is more to environmental protection than just physical health and economic benefits. It would be good if efforts on this front can further help those with suicidal tendency.
China’s late awakening in fighting pollution means there is a lot to catch up on. Thankfully, its Action Plan on Prevention and Control of Air Pollution in 2013 has gradually paid off.
In Beijing, the average level in 2022 of harmful PM2.5 particulates was down to one-third of that seen in 2013.
There are also fewer days of smog compared with a decade ago. This is a stark contrast to the situation in 2015 as only 73 cities met the standards when air quality monitoring began in 338 cities.
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By 2021, as many as 218 cities, or about two-thirds, complied. That said, the air quality objectives on the mainland still fall short of the guidelines set out by the World Health Organization.
According to the global health watchdog, as many as 7 million people die prematurely from exposure to air pollution every year.
The new link between clear air and fewer suicides gives policymakers around the world another reason to clean up the skies.
