I'm sure if everyone lived absolutely sterile and risk-free controlled lives, average life expectancy could be much higher, but I don't think that's a direction me or many others want society to take.
Ever think about day to day health? It is not just a life span of 78 vs 80 years. Living in pollution has many other negative effects including biology other than humans.
I'm not sure breathing polluted air is the sort of risk humans choose to take by weighing up their preference for the fun of imbibing fumes vs the possible downsides though...
It doesn't have to be a (false) dichotomy though. A 50% reduction in particulate matter and pollutants would still provide significant benefits.
But we could improve the environment and live longer, higher quality lives without going so far as to create "absolutely sterile and risk-free controlled lives."
Agreed. Why are we obsessed with keeping people alive for as long as possible? QoL after 80 is garbage compared to before 80, if I live that long please just let me die.