Air pollution caused approximately 6.7 million deaths in 2019. Of these, approximately 85% were attributable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. This makes air pollution the second leading cause of NCDs globally after tobacco & causing 8.1 million premature deaths.
Global Call to Action: Clean Air Initiatives
On November 26, 2019, the Second Committee of the 74th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution designating September 7 as the “International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.” The resolution emphasizes the importance and urgent need to raise public awareness at all levels and promote and facilitate actions to improve air quality.
Statistics help us understand the magnitude of the problem: 99% of people worldwide breathe polluted air; air pollution was responsible for 8.1 million deaths in 2021, with more than 90% linked to non-communicable diseases; and more than 700,000 children under the age of five died from causes related to indoor and outdoor air pollution.
Reducing emissions of methane, a significant greenhouse gas and air pollutant, could save between $4 billion and $33 billion. The cost of inaction is staggering, with air pollution due to rising healthcare costs estimated to cost the global economy $8.1 trillion per year, equivalent to 6.1 percent of global GDP.
WHO’s Strategic Framework
Organized under the theme “Investing in #CleanAirNow,” it emphasizes the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and shared responsibility to combat air pollution.
In 2015, WHO member states adopted a resolution to “address the adverse health effects of air pollution.” The member states then agreed on a roadmap for “an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution.” WHO’s work to address the health consequences of air pollution and lack of energy access is based on four pillars:
- expanding the knowledge base,
- monitoring and reporting,
- global leadership and coordination, and
- strengthening institutional capacity.
The WHO Strategy on Air Quality, Energy, and Health identifies concrete actions where the health sector can play a leading or supporting role in promoting health and ensuring access to quality health services across all policies. There are three cross-cutting areas: measuring knowledge, evidence, and progress; institutional capacity building and technical assistance; and leadership and coordination.
The “WHO Strategic Approach to Air Quality, Energy Access, and Health” outlines a framework and related actions for 2023-2030 to strengthen WHO’s efforts to protect populations from the health consequences of air pollution and lack of energy access.
India’s Pollution Crisis
India ranks third in the world in terms of pollution. In 2023, the country’s average PM 2.5 concentration was 54.4 μg/m3, more than ten times the WHO safe limit. North India, especially the National Capital Region (NCR), suffers from the worst air quality in the world. Cities like New Delhi and the NCR region are regularly listed among the most polluted cities globally. In India pollution levels remain a significant health threat to its population, putting more than 1.36 billion people at risk.
A Tabular Representation of Grading of Values of Air Quality Index
Public Health Impacts of Air Pollution
The short-term and long-term public health consequences of exposure to air pollution should be carefully evaluated, especially the effects of fine particles that penetrate deep into the lung tract and pose a significant risk to public health. Increased health risks such as respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer can severely affect people who are already ill, such as children, the elderly, and poor people. In addition, poor air quality increases the risk of stillbirths, miscarriages, and neurological conditions such as cognitive impairment and dementia.
According to a recent report, air pollution is the “greatest single environmental health risk,” and the number of people dying from cardiovascular diseases brought on by it has been increasing over the past ten years and is expected to keep rising. According to the 2024 World Heart Report, the majority of the body’s organs have been demonstrated to be negatively impacted by air pollution, and throughout the last ten years, the number of deaths worldwide from heart disease, diabetes, and obesity has dramatically grown. It claims that despite actions suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), air quality levels have not significantly improved. Due to outside air, this has caused up to 1.9 million deaths annually from heart disease and just under a million from strokes.
Exposure to air pollution causes inflammation and oxidative stress in human cells, which can set the stage for cancer and other chronic illnesses. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer designated air pollution as a human carcinogen in 2013.
The quality of the air in New Delhi has declined from good to unhealthy, it
reached 500 last year, 100 times the WHO-recommended threshold. It was more than 800 this year. It has impacted the city’s economy, education, and other areas in addition to health concerns. Factors contributing to India’s 2024 air pollution rise after October include stubble burning, Diwali festivities and a colder air inversion layer.
Government Actions and Goals
Laws and policies of Indian government include emission requirements for automobiles and industry, prohibitions on burning crops, and initiatives to support cleaner fuels, renewable energy sources, electric cars, hydrogen fuel, green corridors, use of public transport system, LED etc and other alternatives. By switching to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, we can lessen our dependency on fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions, which will help us fight climate change and mitigate air pollution. By 2030, India hopes to achieve its lofty goal of obtaining 500 GW of electricity from renewable sources. It has already reached 190 GW as of March 2024, and goals are likely to be reached before then.
Path Forward: A Collective Responsibility
Achieving favorable AQI levels requires a multi-faceted approach.
“Clean Air, Green Earth: A Step Towards Sustainable Living”
@National Pollution Prevention Day, December 2nd.
Excellent work. Transport strategies, newer technology like electric cars, and real-time monitoring can help determine risk and investigation of sources can be instigated. Calpuff model helps in monitoring. Civil engineers and industrial vigilance is required strictly and earnestly for the cause.