Short-Term Exposure to Air Pollution Kills 33,000 Indians Annually!
New Delhi, the heart of India, is bustling with life. Yet, beneath the vibrant streets and bustling markets lies a deadly secret: air pollution. A recent report published in Lancet Planetary Health has uncovered a chilling reality.
Short-Term Exposure to Air Pollution Kills 33,000 Indians Annually
New Delhi, the heart of India, is bustling with life. Yet, beneath the vibrant streets and bustling markets lies a deadly secret: air pollution. A recent report published in Lancet Planetary Health has uncovered a chilling reality. Nearly 33,000 deaths in 10 major Indian cities every year are attributed to air pollution levels that are alarmingly below India's national clean air threshold. This blog dives deep into the findings of this report, shedding light on the pressing need for stricter air quality standards in India.
Exceeding Death Toll Due to Air Pollution
Annually, around 33,000 deaths in cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi are linked to air pollution levels surpassing the WHO guidelines. This staggering number highlights the urgent need to reassess and tighten India's air quality norms.
Current Standards vs. WHO Guidelines
India's clean air norms are significantly higher than the World Health Organisation's guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The report strongly advocates for India to align its air quality standards with WHO guidelines to safeguard public health.
Check out my YouTube Channel for more interesting content!
Study Data and Duration
The authors analyzed PM2.5 exposure data and daily mortality counts between 2008 and 2019. Findings reveal that even pollution levels below current Indian standards result in increased daily mortality rates.
City-Wise Death Statistics
Delhi: The highest with 11.5% (12,000 deaths annually).
Varanasi: Second highest with 10.2% (830 deaths annually).
Other cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai also recorded significant deaths due to short-term PM2.5 exposure.
Impact of PM2.5 Exposure
Every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 is linked to a 1.42% rise in daily deaths.
Using a causal modeling approach, this risk almost doubled to 3.57%, highlighting the severe impact of local pollution sources.
Shimla’s Surprising Statistics
Although Shimla recorded the lowest pollution levels, 3.7% of deaths (59 annually) were still linked to PM2.5 exposure above WHO guidelines.
This emphasizes that no level of air pollution is truly safe.
Conclusion
The report’s findings serve as a wake-up call. It’s clear that India must implement more stringent air quality standards to protect its citizens. The alarming statistics from cities across diverse regions underline the universal threat posed by air pollution. It’s not just a metropolitan issue; even cities considered to have lower pollution levels are at risk.
Ready to elevate your mornings? Try adding ginger shots to your routine and experience the transformation yourself.
Check out my YouTube Channel for more interesting content!
For more intriguing insights into health, lifestyle, and all things India, delve into my other blog post. Connect with me on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for a continuous flow of captivating content!
