Air pollution reduces average life expectancy by 5.5 years in China: Gore

(ECNS) -- Air pollution had reduced life expectancy by an average of 5.5 years, especially in northern China, former US vice president Al Gore said at the third Chinese Public Welfare Forum, citing the data of a US science magazine.

Experts at Shanghai Academy of Bioscience also warned that Beijing's pollution index is reaching extreme levels and that it would become uninhabitable should things continue.

People are more likely to suffer various illnesses and even death as a result of air pollution. For example, in both New Delhi and Beijing, air pollution is causing a large scale health crisis and diminishing life spans.

"China could solve this problem; we hope to negate air pollution, not only in China, but all over the world," Gore stated.