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There are more than 5.5 million people who die every year due to outdoor and air pollution. It is the biggest threat to human health and causes disease and long-term illness, says TIME.

The pollution is expected to rise over the next few decades, says the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Worryingly, more than 3 million of the deaths will strike China and India. Pollution in these countries are mostly due to heavy burning of coal, wood and biomass, which leads to poor air quality.

"Air pollution is the fourth highest risk factor for death globally and by far the leading environmental risk factor for disease. Reducing air pollution is an incredibly efficient way to improve the health of a population," said Dr. Michael Brauer of the University of British Columbia's School of Population and Public Health in Vancouver, Canada.

There is only a worry and hope that everyone will become more aware and careful to cause worldwide change in the attitude towards air pollution.

Other greater threats to human life include high blood pressure, diet, and smoking. While these causes can be tackled more effectively with some personal initiatives, air pollution is one factor that calls for more collective action.