A new research has shown that over three million deaths occur every year because of outdoor air pollution. China and India, both of which have been conducting very large-scale profit-driven industrial practices, account for over two-thirds of these deaths.

Study authors have estimated that if the government didn’t interfere in this matter than the mortality rate from air pollution will possible get double by 2050. They said almost all of the increase will occur in Asia.

Researchers have reported that particulate matter is key pollutant that has led to premature mortality. Particulate matter is a mixture of different materials released into the atmosphere, and are considered harmful for human health when exceeds 2.5 micrometers in diameter. The leading practices that have been contributing to the mass pollution differ slightly across the world.

The study suggested that in India and China emissions from residential heating and cooking alone result in huge quantities of unhealthy smoke, causing one-third of air pollution-related deaths worldwide. In China more than 70% of electricity is generated from coal.

Asthma is the main cause of hospitalization for children in China and deaths due to lung cancer have risen 465% in the last 3 decades.

In a conference call for journalists, study author Jos Lelieveld, Cyprus Institute professor, said, “It’s important to reduce emissions from residential energy use. You can’t ask people to stop eating and cooking, but you can provide better technologies”.

Agricultural emissions tend to be the main drivers of air pollution in highly regulated areas, including the United States, Europe, and Japan.