Nearly 33,000 deaths each year across 10 major Indian cities can be attributed to air pollution levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, despite being below India’s national clean air threshold. This alarming statistic comes from a report published in The Lancet Planetary Health, underscoring the urgent need for India to revise its air quality standards.
The study, which examined data from 2008 to 2019, focused on PM2.5 exposure a fine particulate matter considered highly harmful to human health. It analyzed mortality rates across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi.
Significant Statistics:
- Delhi: Recorded the highest number of air pollution-related deaths, with 12,000 deaths annually, representing 11.5% of all deaths.
- Varanasi: The second highest, with around 830 deaths each year, accounting for 10.2% of all deaths.
- Mumbai: 5,100 deaths annually.
- Kolkata: 4,700 deaths annually.
- Chennai: 2,900 deaths annually.
- Bengaluru: 2,100 deaths annually.
- Shimla: Despite having the lowest pollution levels among the cities studied, 59 deaths per year were attributed to air pollution, comprising 3.7% of all deaths.
Implications of PM2.5 Exposure
PM2.5 exposure was found to be critically harmful even at levels below the current Indian standards, which are more lenient than the WHO guidelines. The study highlighted that a 10 microgram increase per cubic meter of air in short-term PM2.5 exposure correlated with a 1.42% increase in daily deaths. This impact almost doubled to 3.57% when isolating local pollution sources.
The researchers emphasized the need for India to align its air quality standards with the WHO guidelines to better protect public health. Current Indian standards are significantly higher, which allows harmful pollution levels to persist. By adopting stricter standards, the country could potentially reduce the health burden associated with air pollution.
Study Authors says “Every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air increase in short-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 0.31% increase in daily deaths,” noted the authors, stressing the need for more stringent air quality standards.
Public Health Experts are urge immediate action to mitigate air pollution and prevent premature deaths, especially in urban areas with high pollution levels.
This landmark multi-city study is the first of its kind in India, establishing a clear link between short-term air pollution exposure and increased mortality rates. The findings call for urgent policy changes to reduce air pollution and protect public health, highlighting the pressing need for India to enforce stricter air quality standards in line with global guidelines.