Pollution causing more deaths than war, disease, drugs combined; study

Air pollution alone is linked to over seven million premature deaths per year, with more than half due to heart problems. [iStockphoto]

We often think of war, terrorism, and deadly diseases as the greatest dangers to human life. But what if the real danger is something we encounter every day, something that's in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even in the noise that surrounds us?

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals a shocking truth: pollution, in all its forms, is now a greater global health threat than war, terrorism, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, drugs, and alcohol combined.