A recent comprehensive study has shed light on the severe health impacts of air pollution in India’s largest cities, revealing alarming statistics and urging immediate action to mitigate the crisis.
Published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal, the study conducted by an Indian-led research team focused on 10 major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. It highlighted that from 2008 to 2019, over 33,000 deaths annually could be attributed to exposure to PM2.5 pollutants exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended levels. PM2.5 refers to cancer-causing microparticles found in polluted air.
The findings are staggering: air pollution contributed to 7.2% of all deaths recorded in these cities during the study period. Delhi, India’s capital, faced the most severe impact with approximately 12,000 annual deaths linked directly to air pollution, constituting 11.5% of total deaths in the city.
Even cities traditionally perceived to have lesser pollution levels, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, reported alarmingly high death rates attributed to poor air quality.
Currently, India’s air quality standards permit 60 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter, which is four times higher than the WHO’s recommended guideline of 15 micrograms. Researchers have called for stricter enforcement of air quality standards in India, emphasizing that adhering to WHO guidelines could potentially save tens of thousands of lives annually.
Joel Schwartz, a co-author of the study from Harvard University, underscored the urgency of implementing effective pollution control measures, stating that proven methods exist and are already in use globally. He emphasized that these measures must be swiftly applied in India to curb the devastating health effects of air pollution.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned about the health risks associated with air pollution, which include increased incidences of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and various respiratory ailments. The study serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive action to safeguard public health in India’s urban centers from the harmful effects of air pollution.