Purification of combustion gases reduces the damage caused by the burning of fossil fuels to both nature and human health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 12.6 million people died in 2012 as a result of living or working in an unhealthy environment – nearly one in four global deaths. Environmental risk factors such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposure, climate change and ultraviolet radiation are responsible for more than 100 diseases and injuries. In March 2016, WHO released the second edition of the report, Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments: A Global Assessment of the Burden of Disease from Environmental Risks, which refers to proven strategies for preventing disease and death through healthy environments.

An updated 2016 analysis shows that 24% of global deaths (and 28% of under-five deaths) are attributable to modifiable environmental factors. Sixty-eight percent of these attributable deaths and 51% of attributable DALY s could be estimated using evidence-based comparative risk assessment methods, with assessments of other environmental effects completed using additional epidemiological assessments and expert opinion. Coronary heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and unintentional injuries are in first place. People in low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest disease burden.