Damage to health can arise from both short-term (a few hours or days) and long-term
(over months or years) exposure to air pollution. Particulate matter is linked to lung
cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart diseases. The single biggest
killer of children less than five-years old worldwide is pneumonia, with more than half
of the almost one million premature deaths being caused by exposure to household air
pollution (WHO, 2016c). Air pollution can also contribute to low birth weight,
tuberculosis, cataracts and throat cancers. Ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide
are linked to asthma, bronchial disease, reduced lung function and lung disease.