A comprehensive study led by researchers from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has revealed that air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to approximately 2.61 crore premature deaths in India between 1980 and 2020. This makes it one of the most extensive studies on air quality and climate, utilizing 40 years of data to assess the health impacts of PM2.5.
According to the study, the average life expectancy in India has been significantly reduced due to conditions caused by PM2.5 pollution, such as strokes, heart and lung diseases, and cancer. The study also noted that weather patterns have exacerbated the impact of pollution, increasing the death toll by 14%.
“Asia was estimated to have the largest number of PM2.5-attributable premature deaths – 98.1 million – from 1980 to 2020,” the authors of the study reported. In Asia, China and India bore the brunt of this burden, accounting for 49.0 million and 26.1 million deaths, respectively. Other countries significantly affected include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Japan, each with 2 to 5 million deaths attributed to PM2.5.
Led by Associate Professor Steve Yim from NTU’s Asian School of the Environment (ASE) and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, the study found that globally, PM2.5 pollution contributed to approximately 135 million premature deaths over the four decades.
Global and Regional Impact
This landmark study highlights the global scope and long-term effects of air pollution, providing new insights into the complex relationship between climate and air quality. The study emphasized how climate phenomena like El Niño, the Indian Ocean Dipole, and the North Atlantic Oscillation have intensified the concentration of pollutants, leading to a rise in premature deaths.
Health Implications
PM2.5 particles, which are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter, pose significant health risks as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. These particles originate from various sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and natural occurrences like wildfires and dust storms.
The study estimated that one-third of the premature deaths from 1980 to 2020 were due to strokes (33.3%), another third to ischemic heart disease (32.7%), with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and lung cancer comprising the remaining deaths.
Research Methodology
To assess the impact of PM2.5 on mortality rates, researchers utilized satellite data from NASA on atmospheric particulate levels and analyzed disease incidence and mortality statistics from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in the US. They also factored in climate pattern data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This extensive study underscores the urgent need for policies and measures to reduce air pollution and mitigate its severe health impacts, particularly in heavily affected regions like India and China.