Prolonged exposure to air pollution, particularly PM2.5, contributes to millions of deaths in India and calls for stricter air quality regulations.
Prolonged exposure to air pollution causes millions of deaths in India, according to a new study by the Karolinska Institute. The research, published in The Lancet Planetary Healthhighlights the need for stricter air quality regulations in India (1✔ ✔Trustworthy source
Estimating the effect of annual PM2.5 exposure on mortality in India: a difference-in-differences approach
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Air pollution in India: a growing health crisis
Air pollution made up of particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, PM2.5, can enter the lungs and bloodstream and poses a significant health risk in India. Researchers have now examined the link between these particles and mortality over a ten-year period. The study is based on data from 655 districts in India between 2009 and 2019.
“We found that every 10 microgram per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 concentration led to an 8.6 percent increase in mortality,” says Petter Ljungman, last author and researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet.
The research analyzed the relationship between changes in air pollution levels and mortality. The results show that around 3.8 million deaths during the period may be linked to air pollution levels above India’s air quality guidelines of 40 micrograms per cubic metre.
When compared to the strictest guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) – just 5 micrograms per cubic meter – the figure rises to 16.6 million deaths. That’s almost 25 percent of all mortality during the study period.
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How air pollution is costing lives
The study also highlights that the entire population of India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels exceed WHO guidelines. This means that almost 1.4 billion people are exposed year after year to air pollution that can negatively affect their health. Levels of up to 119 micrograms per cubic meter were measured in some regions, significantly higher than what both the WHO and India consider safe.
“The results show that current guidelines in India are not sufficient to protect health. It is extremely important to have stricter regulations and measures to reduce emissions,” said Petter Ljungman.
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PM2.5: a growing threat to health and the environment
The Indian government has been running a national air pollution control program since 2017 to improve air quality, but the study shows that PM2.5 concentrations have continued to rise in many areas. Researchers highlight the importance of reducing emissions locally and taking into account the wide range of air pollution: PM2.5 particles can travel hundreds of kilometers.
Cleaner air, healthier lives: the need for better air quality
“Our study provides evidence that can be used to create better air quality policies, both in India and globally,” says Petter Ljungman.
References:
- Estimating the effect of annual PM2.5 exposure on mortality in India: a difference-in-differences approach – (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(24)00248-1/fulltext)
Source-Eurekalert
