The fact that air pollution has a negative impact on human health is well known by all. However, given the minimal progress achieved in combating it, air pollution has become the second biggest risk factor for diseases in India.
As per the World Air Quality Report released by IQAir, a Swiss firm, air pollution levels in India deteriorated significantly in 2021 after showing steady improvement in the previous two years.
India’s annual average PM2.5 levels reached 58.1 µg/m3 in 2021 which is more than 10 times the World Health Organisation's (WHO) air quality guidelines.
The WHO measures air pollution through the concentration of PM 2.5 particles found in the air. These particles are extremely small - just 3% of the diameter of human hair, and hence are able to bypass the nose and throat to penetrate deep into the lungs causing breathing difficulties and cardiovascular diseases.
India’s annual PM2.5 averages have now returned to pre-quarantine concentrations measured in 2019.
The world's most polluted city is Bhiwadi in Rajasthan with PM 2.5 concentration at 106.2 µg/m3, more than 20 times the WHO’s safe limit of 5 µg/m3. In terms of capital cities alone, Delhi has retained the top spot as the world's most polluted capital for the fourth consecutive year. Air quality in Delhi has deteriorated by 15% in 2021 with PM 2.5 concentration at 96.4, close to 20 times the WHO’s safe limit. As per a report submitted in the Parliament recently, Delhi residents had to deal with 'poor' to 'severe' air quality for 168 days in 2021, up from 139 days in 2020.
21 Indian cities find a mention amongst the world’s top 30 cities with the highest air pollution. 48% of Indian cities have PM 2.5 particles in the air that exceed 50 µg/m3, or more than 10 times the WHO guideline.
Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu has the best air quality. Unfortunately, that too is three times WHO's safe limits.
Impact of Air Pollution in India
Air pollution continues to cause significant deaths, permanent disabilities in addition to impacting the country economically.
It is estimated that 9.8 lakh people died in 2019 due to high exposure to PM 2.5. Many others suffer from cardiovascular diseases and other diseases. The economic cost of poor air quality to India is estimated at over $150 billion annually.
Causes of Air Pollution in India
It is estimated that 20% to 35% of total urban PM2.5 concentrations are directly or indirectly due to internal combustion engines in motor vehicles. Other major sources of air pollution in India include power generation, industrial waste, biomass combustion for cooking, construction, and crop burning.
Crop burning, a seasonal activity that sees PM 2.5 levels in the neighborhood of Delhi shoot up to 200 µg/m3 (more than 40 times the WHO limits) has been a politically sensitive issue between the Delhi and Punjab governments over the last few years. Farmers burn crops because of a short window between the harvest and sowing of the next crop to get rid of the stubble. It is estimated that the smoke from the burning of crops is responsible for up to 45% of pollution in Delhi during the winter months.
The Aam Aadmi Party now governs both Delhi and Punjab for the first time in 7 years. This could prove to be a game changer as it will eliminate the political blame game between the 2 states accusing each other for the hazardous air quality in the states during winter.
In 2019, the central government declared a “war on pollution” and announced the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The goal of the Programme is to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% relative to 2017 levels by 2024, which if achieved would increase India’s national life expectancy by 1.8 years, and by 3.5 years for residents of Delhi.
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Jitesh Surjiani
Jitesh Surjiani is passionate about progressive change for India and its citizens. He writes about issues that are roadblocks in improving quality of life and interpersonal interactions as well as areas of public governance that fall short in intent and action.
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