The Lancet Planetary Health has published recent study particularly focusing on the alarming impact of air pollution in India. The key points of collapse are:
WHO Standards Exceeded: Indian Air Pollution Linked to Thousands of Deaths
Air pollution contributes to the deaths of 33,000 people every year across 10 Indian cities (2008-2019), Study reveals appalling statistics. The hazardous fine particulate matter pollutant translates to 7.2% of all daily deaths in these cities being associated to PM2.5. With an approximate 12,000 annual deaths attributed to air pollution, Delhi faces the highest load.
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggest a severe limit for daily PM2.5 exposures (15µg/m³). However, India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are appreciably less harsh, allowing up to 60 µg/m³.
The research highlights that “no safe threshold” exists for air pollution submission. Even small growth in PM2.5 levels notably elevate daily mortality rates. The study raises worries as several cities – including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai – observed increased mortality rates in spite of PM2.5 levels dropping below India’s NAAQS standards. This suggests the current standards are inadequate. The locally generated air pollution from construction dust and similar sources has a stronger negative impact on mortality compared to traditional sources like factories, indicates the study.
The urgency for expanding the National Clean Air Programme.
The study’s findings urge a unified national effort to tackle air pollution. WHO guidelines aligned with Stricter air quality standards are crucial. Controlling local pollution sources parallel to existing efforts to control industrial emissions and vehicular pollution is important. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) expanding the reach to cover more cities is vital.
Exceeding the NAAQS limit for PM2.5, Rohtak topped the list of most polluted cities in June 2024. Only a small part (33 out of 251) of Indian cities observed to meet the WHO’s safe PM2.5 limit. Many cities in India lack real action plans to battle air pollution.
This study provides a wake-up call for India. To implement strict regulations, addressing local pollution origin, and expanding clean air drive are critical steps to limit air pollution-related deaths and ensure a well future for citizens of India.
