The Connection Between Air Quality and Suicide Rates in China

China, known for having some of the most polluted cities in the world, has been facing a concerning issue regarding its air quality. Thick smog blankets its metropolises, posing a severe threat to the health and well-being of the urban population. Surprisingly, a new study analyzing data from over 1,400 air quality monitoring stations across China has uncovered a shocking correlation between air quality and suicide rates.

Previously, it was estimated that around 16 percent of worldwide suicides occur in China. However, recent years have witnessed a significant decline in suicide rates in the country. While there may be several reasons contributing to this decline, such as increasing incomes and cultural shifts, the study conducted by a team of economists sheds light on the strong connection between breathing bad air and an increase in suicide rates.

In 2013, China recognized the urgent need to address its air pollution crisis and introduced the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan. This ambitious plan aimed to tackle industrial sources of pollution, regulate vehicle emissions, promote the use of natural gas for heating instead of coal, and encourage the adoption of solar and wind power. The implementation of these measures led to significant improvements in air quality across the country.

Coinciding with the improvements in air quality, suicide rates in China experienced a sharp decline. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), the annual suicide rate dropped from 10.88 to 5.25 suicides per 100,000 people between 2010 and 2021. These striking trends provided researchers, such as Peng Zhang from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, with an opportunity to study the isolated effects of air pollution on suicide risk.

To understand the direct impact of air pollution on suicide risk, researchers analyzed weekly air quality data and focused on a meteorological phenomenon called thermal inversions. These inversions occur when a layer of cold air becomes trapped close to the ground, containing air pollution particles. Zhang and colleagues discovered that thermal inversions can increase the weekly average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by approximately 1 percent at the county level.

Scientific studies have already established the ability of these tiny particles to travel directly to the brain, altering its chemistry within a mere 24 hours. This alteration can lead to poor mental health and potentially worsen emotional regulation over time. Building on this existing research, Zhang and colleagues observed a clear and sudden increase in suicide rates within a week of thermal inversion events. However, the effect seemed to subside after 7 days.

Remarkably, the study discovered that approximately 10 percent of China’s recent decline in suicide rates can be attributed to the reduction of air pollution. This translates to nearly 46,000 lives saved from suicide between 2013 and 2017 as a direct result of efforts to clear China’s skies. The findings emphasize the urgent need for pollution control policies not only in China but also globally.

While the study focused solely on China and established a correlation between smog and suicide rates, its implications extend far beyond national borders. It serves as a wake-up call for societies worldwide, reminding us that safe levels of air pollution are becoming increasingly rare. The connection between air quality, mental health, and suicide rates should prompt urgent action in implementing pollution control policies globally.

The study presents compelling evidence of the close link between air quality and suicide rates in China. The implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan led to significant improvements in air quality and a remarkable reduction in suicide rates. The findings should serve as a valuable lesson for the world, urging us to prioritize the control of air pollution for the sake of public health and well-being.