Air Pollution Awareness In India: How Many Know?

Air pollution is a significant issue in India, causing over a million premature deaths annually and substantial economic losses. In 2019, India declared a war against air pollution, launching initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce particulate pollution. Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a challenge, with nearly all Indians exposed to unhealthy levels of PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. The availability of reliable and accessible data is crucial for addressing this crisis, and India has taken steps towards improving air quality, including investing in solar energy and aiming to reduce CO2 emissions. However, more ambitious targets, better monitoring systems, and stricter enforcement of controls are necessary to provide India's population with clean and safe air.

India's air pollution awareness and initiatives

India has the second most polluted air in the world, with 100% of its population exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. This has resulted in a public health crisis, with air pollution causing severe health risks, including reduced lung capacity, sore throats, coughs, fatigue, lung cancer, headaches, and heart and lung diseases. It is also a significant economic burden, causing an estimated loss of US$28.8 billion in 2019, equivalent to 1.36% of India's GDP.

In recent years, India has implemented several initiatives to combat air pollution, demonstrating its recognition of the issue and its urgency. These initiatives include:

• The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in 2019, with a tentative national target of reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024, relative to 2017 levels. The programme focuses on 131 cities that do not meet India's national annual PM5 standard.
• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Implemented in several cities, including Noida, to address poor air quality. Stage I includes measures such as dust mitigation at construction sites, effective waste management, and regular road cleaning.
• Community-led initiatives: Local communities are empowered to monitor air quality using low-cost sensors and mobile apps, advocating for policy changes and interventions.
• Green infrastructure initiatives: Vertical gardens, green roofs, and urban forests are promoted to absorb pollutants and improve air quality in urban areas.
• Awareness campaigns: Local artists and influencers collaborate to create engaging campaigns that raise awareness about the health impacts of air pollution.
• Technological advancements: India is investing in technological solutions, such as smog towers and anti-smog guns, to curb air pollution.
• International cooperation: India is collaborating with international organizations, such as the World Bank and USAID, to access expertise and funding for air quality management and planning.
• The Great Green Wall of Aravalli: A 1,600-kilometre-long and 5-kilometre-wide ecological corridor aims to combat pollution by planting 1.35 billion new native trees over 10 years.

While these initiatives demonstrate India's awareness and efforts to address air pollution, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains to be seen, and continued commitment and collaboration are necessary to tackle this complex issue.

The impact of air pollution on health

Air pollution in India is a serious environmental issue, with the country ranking as the world's second most polluted in 2019. The impact of air pollution on health is significant and far-reaching, affecting people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

One of the most prominent health consequences of air pollution in India is the increased risk of respiratory illnesses. High levels of ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), have been linked to a higher incidence of respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infections. Children are especially vulnerable, with studies showing that exposure to air pollution can lead to worse lung function, higher rates of respiratory symptoms, and increased hospital visits for respiratory illnesses in those under five years of age. Additionally, air pollution has been associated with other health issues in children, including low birth weight, stillbirth, preterm birth, developmental delays, and poor cardiovascular health.

The impact of air pollution on adults is also profound. Studies have reported a rise in lung cancer cases among non-smokers, with a notable increase in female patients. Furthermore, air pollution has been linked to reduced lung capacity, sore throats, coughs, fatigue, headaches, and even heart disease. The presence of black deposits in the lungs of teenage patients underscores the severity of the situation.

The health consequences of air pollution extend beyond respiratory and cardiovascular issues. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 23% of all deaths worldwide are attributable to environmental factors, with air pollution being a significant contributor. In India, air pollution contributes to approximately 2 million premature deaths annually. The economic impact is also significant, with an estimated loss of US$28.8 billion in output in 2019 due to worsening air pollution.

The main sources of India's particulate air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, the burning of crops and biomass, and the use of thermal power for electricity. The Indian government has recognized the severity of the problem and launched initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce particulate pollution. However, the success of these initiatives relies on effective implementation, improved access to air quality data, and a coordinated multi-sectoral approach to address this public health crisis.

The economic cost of air pollution

Air pollution is a severe environmental issue in India, with 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities in 2019. It is the second most polluted country globally, and its residents face serious health issues due to this pollution.

The NCAP aims to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024, with an expanded goal of a 40% reduction by 2025-2026. These targets, if met, would have a significant positive impact on the lives of Indians, adding an estimated 2.1 years to the average life expectancy of those living in the 131 cities covered by the expanded NCAP.

The economic burden of air pollution is not just financial; it also affects productivity and labour supply, as well as healthcare expenditures and lost welfare. Diseases caused by air pollution result in reduced productivity and a decreased labour force, further impacting India's economy.

The Lancet study estimated that in 2019, 1.67 million deaths and a loss of $28.8 billion in output were attributable to worsening air pollution in India. This figure is massive, and it is clear that air pollution is not just a health issue but also a significant economic one.

India's air pollution compared to other countries

India's air pollution problem is well-known and the country is home to some of the world's most polluted cities. In 2024, Byrnihat, a city in northeastern India, recorded the worst air pollution globally, with a PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³—over 25 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit. Delhi, India's capital, recorded the second-worst air pollution levels in 2024, with the worst winter air pollution of any major city.

In 2019, 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India, and 13 of the world's 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution were in India. This pushed India's ranking as a country to 5th place. The main sources of air pollution in India include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, the burning of crops and organic matter, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households.

The consequences of air pollution in India are dire, with over 2 million Indians dying prematurely each year due to air pollution. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens an average Indian's life expectancy by 5.3 years, and in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the most polluted city in the world, air pollution shortens lives by 11.9 years. Reduced lung capacity, sore throats, coughs, fatigue, lung cancer, and headaches are all common symptoms of exposure to polluted air. A study of non-smokers found that Indians have 30% weaker lung function than Europeans.

Compared to other countries, Indians are exposed to significantly higher levels of PM2.5 pollutants, with an average of 83.2 µg/m³ compared to a much lower figure of 8 µg/m³ in cleaner countries. India has a low per capita emissions rate of greenhouse gases, but the country as a whole is the third-largest producer of greenhouse gases, after China and the United States.

To address the air pollution crisis, India has launched several initiatives, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024-2026. Other initiatives include the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility, a collaboration between IIT Bombay and the McKelvey School of Engineering of Washington University in St. Louis, and the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometre-long ecological corridor aimed at combating pollution.

The future of India's air quality

India is the world's second most polluted country, with 1.3 billion people living in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households. As a result, India's air pollution has severe health impacts, causing more than 2 million deaths per year and contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Recognizing the urgency of the problem, the Indian government has taken several significant steps to address air pollution. In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally by 2024, focusing on 102 "non-attainment cities" that were not meeting India's national annual PM5 standards. The NCAP provides an overall framework for cities to develop air quality management plans and offers guidance on policies across various sectors. The government has also strengthened vehicular and industrial emission standards, emphasized expanding renewable energy and promoting electric vehicles, and worked to supply LPG cooking fuel to millions of households.

Despite these efforts, India still faces challenges in improving its air quality. A Princeton-led study found that recent improvements in air quality were partially due to favorable meteorological conditions that may not persist with climate change. Additionally, while primary PM2.5 emissions have decreased, emissions of key PM2.5 precursors (SO2, NOx, and NH3) have increased in some locations, indicating the need for more effective policies and enforcement. Furthermore, India needs to take action at the sub-national level and standardize tools for effective air pollution control strategies, as air quality within an airshed depends on pollution sources over large geographic areas.

Looking forward, India has set more ambitious targets for improving air quality. The new goal aims for a 40% reduction in particulate pollution relative to 2017 levels for 131 non-attainment cities by 2025-26. To achieve this, India can make significant improvements by ensuring timely access to reliable and analysis-ready air pollution data, facilitating dialogue and information sharing, and engaging communities and businesses in the clean air movement. India's Parliament has also approved a law to establish the Commission of Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region, recognizing the need for cross-jurisdiction coordination to curb air pollution effectively.

In conclusion, while India faces a challenging future in improving its air quality, the country has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing this issue. By implementing a combination of short-term and long-term strategies, India can make significant strides toward reducing air pollution and mitigating its impact on the health and economy of the nation. The success of these efforts will depend on effective coordination, enforcement, and adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

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