(Commonwealth_India) A new study from the Karolinska Institute has emphasized the important role of long-term exposure to air pollution in contributing to millions of deaths in India. The Lancet Planetary Health published the research, highlighting the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations in the country. This study focuses on the dangerous impact of fine particulate matter, specifically particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing serious health risks.
Over a decade, from 2009 to 2019, researchers analyzed data from 655 districts across India to examine the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and mortality rates. The findings reveal a concerning trend: for every increase of 10 micrograms per cubic meter in PM2.5 concentration, there was an 8.6% rise in mortality. The investigation estimates that air pollution levels exceeding the country’s present air quality guidelines of 40 micrograms per cubic meter caused around 3.8 million deaths in India during this period. However, when compared to the stricter air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommend a limit of just 5 micrograms per cubic meter, the number of pollution-related deaths rises dramatically to 16.6 million. This represents nearly 25% of all deaths during the study period.
The study also draws attention to the alarming fact that the entire Indian population lives in areas where PM2.5 concentrations exceed the WHO’s recommended limit. The continuous exposure of nearly 1.4 billion people to harmful air pollution has significant implications for public health. Some regions in India are experiencing extreme levels of pollution, with concentrations reaching up to 119 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding what both India’s guidelines and the WHO deem safe.
According to Petter Ljungman, the lead researcher from the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institute, “The results show that present guidelines in India are not enough to protect health. Stricter regulations and measures to lessen emissions are of utmost importance. The Indian government introduced a national air pollution control program in 2017, but despite this, PM2.5 levels have continued to rise in several parts of the country. The study underscores the need for both local emission reductions and broader strategies to address long-range pollution, as PM2.5 particles can travel hundreds of kilometers from their source.
This research provides compelling evidence to support the creation of more effective air quality policies, both within India and globally, to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution. It calls for a comprehensive approach to air quality management to protect the health of billions of people living in polluted environments.
