Short answers, pulled from the story.
Pollution killed approximately nine million people worldwide in 2019, representing one in six deaths that year. This figure tripled the number of deaths caused by AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.
The term pollution in its modern environmental sense was rare before the 1860s when it primarily referred to the desecration of something sacred. By the late 19th century the industrial revolution had transformed the word to describe the physical introduction of contaminants.
The Great Stink of 1858 in London marked a turning point when the River Thames became so foul that it halted parliamentary proceedings. This event forced societies to confront the tangible consequences of unchecked industrialization.
Scientists concluded in August 2022 that the boundary for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances had been transgressed. These informally referred to as forever chemicals include chlorinated hydrocarbons, heavy metals like lead and cadmium, and dioxins.
Over 10 million people in India fell ill with waterborne illnesses in 2013 and 1,535 people died. Most of the victims were children highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
A Global Framework on Chemicals aiming to reduce pollution was agreed upon in September 2023 during an international conference in Bonn, Germany. The agreement includes 28 targets to end the use of hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed by 2035.