The Cost of Air Pollution : Health Impacts of Road Transport Outdoor air pollution kills more than 3 million people across the world every year and causes health problems from asthma to heart disease for many more. This is costing societies very large amounts in terms of the value of lives lost and ill health. Based on extensive new epidemiological evidence since the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study and OECD estimates of the Value of Statistical Life this report provides evidence on the health impacts from air pollution and the related economic costs.