PM2.5 Air Pollution Linked to 16.6 Million Deaths in India: Study Highlights Urgent Need for Stricter Guidelines

Introduction

Air pollution has long been a public health crisis in India, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) being one of the most harmful pollutants. A study conducted by Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet sheds light on the alarming impact of PM2.5 on mortality rates across India. Covering data from 655 districts between 2009 and 2019, the research reveals a sobering reality: exposure to PM2.5 levels significantly above safe limits has contributed to millions of preventable deaths, calling for urgent action to tighten air quality regulations and reduce emissions.

Key Findings of the Study

1. Mortality Linked to PM2.5 Exposure
   The study found that every 10 micrograms per cubic metre increase in PM2.5 concentration led to an 8.6% rise in mortality. Over the decade-long study period, 3.8 million deaths were linked to air pollution exceeding India’s air quality guideline of 40 µg/m³.
2. Stricter WHO Guidelines Highlight a Grimmer Picture
   When compared to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, the number of deaths attributed to air pollution rises to a staggering 16.6 million. This accounts for nearly 25% of all deaths during the study period, demonstrating the severe health impact of lax air quality standards.
3. Nationwide Exposure to Unsafe Air
   The study highlighted that the entire population of India—approximately 1.4 billion people—lives in areas where PM2.5 levels exceed WHO guidelines. In some regions, PM2.5 levels reached as high as 119 µg/m³, far surpassing both WHO and Indian safety thresholds.
4. Rising PM2.5 Concentrations
   Alarmingly, PM2.5 concentrations have continued to increase in many parts of the country, indicating worsening air quality. The study emphasized the long-range travel of PM2.5 particles, which can spread pollutants hundreds of kilometres away from their source.

Health Implications of PM2.5 Pollution

PM2.5 particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing severe health issues, including:

• Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
• Lung cancer
• Reduced life expectancy
• Increased vulnerability to infections, including COVID-19

These health risks are disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Call for Stricter Regulations and Action

The findings underscore the inadequacy of India’s current air quality standards, which permit PM2.5 levels eight times higher than WHO recommendations. Petter Ljungman, a researcher at Karolinska Institutet, stressed the urgent need for:

1. Stricter Air Quality Guidelines: Aligning India’s standards closer to WHO recommendations to better protect public health.
2. Emission Reduction Measures: Addressing key pollution sources such as vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and agricultural burning.
3. Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement: Strengthening the implementation of air quality regulations at the local and regional levels.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens about the health impacts of air pollution and promoting behavioral changes to reduce individual contributions.
5. International Collaboration: Leveraging global expertise and partnerships to design effective, science-backed strategies for air pollution control.

Conclusion

The Karolinska Institutet study is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address India’s air pollution crisis. With millions of lives at stake, the time to act is now. Stricter regulations, coupled with robust enforcement and public cooperation, are essential to mitigating the devastating health impacts of PM2.5 pollution. Only through sustained efforts can India safeguard the health of its citizens and make meaningful progress toward achieving its environmental and public health goals.

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