Air Pollution's Impact On India's Health And Environment

Air pollution in India is a serious issue, with the country being home to 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world in 2019. The air quality in India is so poor that it causes 1.2 million deaths in the country each year. This is due to the high levels of particulate matter in the air, which are caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, the burning of crops, wood, and charcoal, and the use of biomass fuels for cooking and heating. These pollutants have severe health impacts on those exposed, particularly children, and are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart attacks.

Children: India's air pollution is affecting the health of children, with those from poorer households being more vulnerable

India's air pollution is affecting the health of children, with those from poorer households being more vulnerable. Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults as their bodies and organs are still developing, and they have weaker immune systems. They are also more physically exposed to air pollution as they breathe more rapidly than adults and take in more air relative to their body weight. They often spend more time outdoors and breathe air that is closer to the ground, which is where pollution from sources like dust and vehicle exhaust is emitted and becomes concentrated.

Children from poorer households are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. In India, the main contributors to air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, the dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating. These sources of air pollution disproportionately affect children from poorer households, who may spend more time outdoors and breathe more air relative to their body weight.

Air pollution has been linked to a range of negative health outcomes in children. It can cause low birth weight, stillbirth, preterm birth, developmental delays, growth failure, poor respiratory and cardiovascular health, and a higher risk of anemia. It can also trigger asthma and childhood cancer, and children who have been exposed to high levels of air pollution may be at greater risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease later in life. In Bangalore, around 50% of children suffer from asthma.

The effects of air pollution on children's health can have long-lasting impacts. For example, if stunting is affected by early life exposure to pollution, it can have long-lasting effects on a child's life earnings due to poor cognition and increased vulnerability to hypertension and diabetes. It is important to recognize that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and to take steps to reduce their exposure.

Life expectancy: Air pollution is reducing the average life expectancy in India by 5.3 years

Air pollution is a serious issue in India, impacting the health and well-being of its citizens. According to a report by the University of Chicago, Indians are, on average, losing about five years of their lives due to worsening air pollution. The problem is especially acute in Delhi, the world's most polluted city, where residents may lose up to nine years of their lives if current pollution levels persist.

The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's (EPIC) Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report revealed that nearly 40% of India's population, amounting to 510 million residents in the north, face "extreme levels of air pollution." As a result, the average life expectancy in India is shortened by 5.9 years, with some areas faring much worse. For instance, lives in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are shortened by 9.7 and 9.5 years, respectively, if 2019 pollution levels continue.

The primary sources of India's particulate air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, the use of thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the burning of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households. India's average particulate matter concentration in 2019 was 70.3 µg/m³, far exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline of 10 µg/m³.

The impact of air pollution on life expectancy is evident across different states in India. For instance, if the WHO guidelines are met in the ten most populous states:

• Uttar Pradesh could gain over eight years in life expectancy
• Bihar could gain more than seven years
• West Bengal could gain nearly six years
• Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh could gain around five years
• Gujarat could gain over three years
• Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu could gain approximately two years

Strong clean air policies are crucial to mitigating the impact of air pollution on life expectancy in India. The Indian government has implemented initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017 levels. Achieving these goals could significantly improve life expectancy in the country, increasing the national average by 1.8 years and by 3.5 years for Delhi residents.

Mortality: Air pollution is causing 1.24 million premature deaths in India every year

Air pollution is a serious environmental issue in India, and it is causing approximately 1.24 million premature deaths every year. This figure may even be an underestimation, as additional diseases attributable to air pollution are often unaccounted for. The Lancet has estimated that half of these deaths are of people younger than 70, which lowers the country's average life expectancy by 1.7 years.

The sources of air pollution in India are varied, and include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating.

The health consequences of air pollution in India are severe, and include an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, and heart attacks. Air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of strokes, asthma, reduced foetal growth, stunted development of children's lungs, and cognitive impairment.

The effects of air pollution on children's health in India are particularly concerning. Exposure to air pollution during the first trimester has been found to decrease both height-for-age and weight-for-age in children under five years old. This effect is more prominent in poorer households, with northern states being more vulnerable due to higher pollution levels. Furthermore, over two million children in Delhi—that is, half of the children in the city—have been found to have abnormalities in their lung function.

The impact of air pollution on mortality rates in India is significant, and it is disproportionately affecting the country's youth. The issue of air pollution in India is a critical public health emergency that requires immediate attention and action.

Geography: India's geography, including its hills and mountains, is trapping toxic air over the country

India's geography, including its hills and mountains, is trapping toxic air over the country. Northern India's air quality is particularly affected by its geography. The Himalayas form a barrier to the north, preventing poor air from dissipating. Sunita Narain, director-general of New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment, describes the region as being "like a big, massive bowl". This means that the sources of pollution in the region become critical, as the air is not easily dispersed.

The geography of India also impacts the sources of pollution. For example, the country's reliance on thermal power for electricity is a major contributor to air pollution. The burning of wood and dung by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating is another significant source of pollution. India's topography, which includes hills and mountains, makes it challenging to implement renewable energy solutions in some areas.

In addition to the physical geography, India's economic geography also plays a role in trapping toxic air. The country has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this growth is associated with an increase in air pollution. The development of various industries, such as power plants and construction, has led to an increase in emissions and construction dust, respectively.

Furthermore, India's geographical location in South Asia also contributes to the air pollution problem. The region experiences severe traffic congestion, which leads to higher levels of vehicle emissions. The combination of the increasing number of vehicles and the lack of efficient intra-city and inter-city road networks results in traffic gridlock, particularly in cities like Delhi. This stagnant condition further contributes to the build-up of local pollution.

Overall, India's geography, including its hills and mountains, plays a significant role in trapping toxic air over the country. The unique topography and economic development of the region influence the sources of pollution, while the geographic barriers and weather conditions hinder the dispersal of pollutants.

Politics: Anti-pollution laws in India are not being effectively enforced, with political willpower being a key factor

India's air pollution is a serious environmental issue, with 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world being in India, according to the World Health Organization. The air pollution in India affects everyone, from toddlers to the elderly, and causes a range of health issues, including severe lung problems, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, heart attacks, and more.

While there are anti-pollution laws in India, they are not effectively enforced, and political willpower is a key factor in this lack of enforcement. The governing party at the federal level and the main opposition party have little incentive to cooperate with the city authorities in Delhi, as neither holds power in the capital. This lack of cooperation results in a blame game between the different levels of government, hindering effective action.

Additionally, the federal and state governments are reluctant to take strong measures against large polluters, such as the automotive sector, highly polluting industries, power plants, construction companies, and farmers, as this could upset powerful vested interests and potentially hurt economic growth. The political parties are also more focused on immediate electoral issues such as employment, rather than environmental concerns, which are often seen as less urgent and less relatable to voters, especially in a developing country like India.

The lack of political will to address air pollution in India has severe consequences for the health and well-being of its citizens, and a more holistic and cooperative approach is needed to effectively tackle this pressing issue.

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