Air Pollution and Wild Animals

Air pollution, mainly from vehicle exhausts, is very detrimental to human health. Fumes make many city centres dangerous places to live. It's recently been noted that many wild animals apparently well-adapted to city life, have shown recent declining populations. Perhaps air pollution partially accounts for their falling numbers? (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/apr/01/squirrels-live-longer-in-leafier-parts-of-london-air-pollution-study-shows). A study, in the journal Environmental Pollution, contrasted lung function and longevity in Grey squirrels from different parts of London. Animals, from leafy Richmond, fared much better than counterparts from congested Central Westminster. The Richmond squirrels had better lung function and lived longer. The same will be true of humans, pets and zoo animals inhabiting city areas with different air pollution levels.