... because pollution cuts global life expectancy by nearly two years, report finds

• Air pollution has been deemed the greatest risk to human health
• A report found it cuts global life expectancy by nearly two years
• The warning comes as nearly a quarter of the  world's population lives in the most polluted countries -  Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan
• The data shows some regions  will see lifespan cut by five years or a decade

While the world works tirelessly to combat the deadly coronavirus, a new report identifies the 'greatest risk to human health' - poor air quality. 

New data from the Air Quality Index (AQLI) reveals air pollution cuts global life expectancy by nearly two years.  

Nearly a quarter of the world's population lives in just four south Asian countries that are among the most polluted - Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

AQLI found that these populations would see their lifespan cut by five years on average, after being exposed to pollution levels 44 percent higher than 20 years ago.