New Delhi: About 93 percent of India’s population is living in areas where the level of the dangerous particulate matter PM 2.5 is worse than normal. World Health OrganizationLeast stringent norms and air pollution reduce life expectancy in the country by 1.5 years (more than cancer), according to a US-based report health impact institute ,HEI) released on Thursday. It flagged that air pollution is responsible for one in nine deaths globally.
Its findings also show that India with 93% of its population ranks fifth after Egypt (1st). Pakistan (second), Bangladesh (3) with 100% of their population exposed and Nigeria 4th place 95% of the population is exposed to fine particulates. If one looks at the new WHO norms of five micrograms per cubic meter (micrograms per cubic meter), as announced last year, no country in the world currently meets these new guidelines.
HEI, funded by US Environmental Protection AgencyThe Industry and Development Banks found that with an average annual population-weighted PM2.5 of 83 micrograms per cubic meter in 2019, 9,79,700 deaths in India can be attributed to particulate matter.
“In India, the reduction in life expectancy due to exposure to ambient PM2.5 (1.51 years) exceeds that of all cancers (1.39 years),” the report said, adding that ambient and household PM2 .5 Pollution has a combined effect on life expectancy. Which is equivalent to the greatest threats to human health and longevity.
In 2019, over 7 million deaths annually were linked to exposure to various pollutants in the world, with the WHO claiming that nearly 80% of deaths were attributed to PM2.5 exposure. Of all the classical pollutants, inhalable PM2.5 is considered the most dangerous. WHO last year lowered its guideline for annual exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 10 ug/m3 to just 5 ug/m3.
“Many less developed and poorer countries face an immense challenge in improving their air quality as they reduce ambient PM2.5 air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as from indoor fires for cooking and heating. face the double burden of air pollution. These regions and countries with the highest levels of air pollution will benefit the most from pollution reduction. Even modest reductions in air pollution can provide health benefits and improved life expectancy,” the report said. Referring to the effect of air pollution on life expectancy, he said.
Its findings also show that India with 93% of its population ranks fifth after Egypt (1st). Pakistan (second), Bangladesh (3) with 100% of their population exposed and Nigeria 4th place 95% of the population is exposed to fine particulates. If one looks at the new WHO norms of five micrograms per cubic meter (micrograms per cubic meter), as announced last year, no country in the world currently meets these new guidelines.
HEI, funded by US Environmental Protection AgencyThe Industry and Development Banks found that with an average annual population-weighted PM2.5 of 83 micrograms per cubic meter in 2019, 9,79,700 deaths in India can be attributed to particulate matter.
“In India, the reduction in life expectancy due to exposure to ambient PM2.5 (1.51 years) exceeds that of all cancers (1.39 years),” the report said, adding that ambient and household PM2 .5 Pollution has a combined effect on life expectancy. Which is equivalent to the greatest threats to human health and longevity.
In 2019, over 7 million deaths annually were linked to exposure to various pollutants in the world, with the WHO claiming that nearly 80% of deaths were attributed to PM2.5 exposure. Of all the classical pollutants, inhalable PM2.5 is considered the most dangerous. WHO last year lowered its guideline for annual exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 10 ug/m3 to just 5 ug/m3.
“Many less developed and poorer countries face an immense challenge in improving their air quality as they reduce ambient PM2.5 air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as from indoor fires for cooking and heating. face the double burden of air pollution. These regions and countries with the highest levels of air pollution will benefit the most from pollution reduction. Even modest reductions in air pollution can provide health benefits and improved life expectancy,” the report said. Referring to the effect of air pollution on life expectancy, he said.