A recent study reveals that prolonged exposure to air pollution significantly contributes to millions of fatalities in India. This research underscores the urgency for enforcing more stringent air quality regulations within the nation.
A recent study from Karolinska Institutet indicates that chronic exposure to air pollution leads to millions of deaths in India. The findings, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, underline the critical need for tougher air quality regulations in the country.
Air pollution, particularly particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), poses a severe health threat as they can penetrate both the lungs and bloodstream. Researchers have investigated the connection between these particles and mortality over a decade, using data from 655 districts across India from 2009 to 2019.
“Our study discovered that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 levels, there is an 8.6 percent rise in death rates,” explains Petter Ljungman, the senior author and a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet.
The research evaluated how variations in air pollution levels correlate with mortality. Findings suggest that approximately 3.8 million deaths during this period can be attributed to air pollution levels exceeding India’s own air quality standard of 40 micrograms per cubic meter.
In comparison to the more stringent guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommend only 5 micrograms per cubic meter, this figure escalates to 16.6 million deaths—nearly 25 percent of all deaths recorded during the study’s timeframe.
Furthermore, the research highlights that the entire population of India resides in regions where PM2.5 levels surpass WHO recommendations. This means that nearly 1.4 billion individuals face annual exposure to harmful air pollution. Certain areas recorded levels as high as 119 micrograms per cubic meter, which are significantly above the safety thresholds recognized by both WHO and India’s standards.
“These findings demonstrate that India’s current air quality guidelines are inadequate for safeguarding public health. It is crucial to implement stricter regulations and measures aimed at reducing emissions,” stated Petter Ljungman.
The Indian government has been operating a national air pollution control initiative since 2017 with the aim of enhancing air quality. However, the study indicates that PM2.5 levels have continued to rise in numerous regions. Researchers stress the necessity of lowering emissions locally and acknowledge the extensive range of PM2.5 particles, which can travel hundreds of kilometers.
“Our research provides valuable evidence that can inform the development of improved air quality policies, both in India and beyond,” expressed Petter Ljungman.
This study received funding from Formas and was carried out in collaboration with researchers from institutions in India, Sweden, the USA, Israel, and Italy.
