Mortality burden due to air pollution in Australia, 2015
Study using previously published predictions for all sources PM2.5 and NO2 and models to estimate traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) in 2015.
Results:
- an estimated 3684 (95 % CI, 3051–4350) premature deaths were attributable to air pollution from all sources
- 51 % (95 % CI, 19 %–86 %) of these (more than 1,800 premature deaths) were linked to TRAP.
These estimates are lower than previous estimates of 11,000 annual deaths from TRAP by the University of Melbourne (2023) although this study was not peer-reviewed and published.
Conclusion: Air pollution remains a significant contributor to mortality in Australia. Reducing exposure, particularly from TRAP, could yield substantial public health benefits. Policies promoting cleaner transport modes offer a promising avenue for rapid improvement.
Categories:
Air Quality, Deaths
Entry Date:
12/12/2025
Source 1 Name:
Borchers-Arriagada N, Chaston TB, Morgan GG, Knibbs LD, Johnston FH. The mortality burden attributable to PM2.5 and NO2 from all sources and traffic-related air pollution in Australia. Environ Res. 2025 Nov 15;285(Pt 4):122519. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122519.
Source 1 URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40803401/
Source 2 Name:
James Purtill. Traffic pollution contributes to more than 1,800 premature deaths per year, study estimates. ABS News. 22 Aug 2025. [cited 12 Dec 2025]
Source 2 URL:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-22/traffic-pollution-study-estimates-1800-premature-deaths-per-year/105677620
wp_statistics_words_count:
116