According to a recent report published in The Lancet Planetary Health, air pollution contributed to 16.7 lakh deaths in India in 2019, equaling 17.8% of total deaths. The report, ‘Pollution and Health: A Progress Update’, underscores the undeniable link between pollution and health.
Findings from the Report
The report indicates that globally, air pollution contributes to 66.7 lakh deaths. This revises previous findings from 2015. In 2019, pollution was responsible for an estimated 90 lakh deaths, equivalent to one in six deaths worldwide. Out of this, ambient air pollution accounts for 45 lakh deaths. An alarming 17 lakh deaths are attributable to hazardous chemical pollutants, with 9 lakh fatalities linked to lead pollution.
In India specifically, 9.8 lakh out of the total 16.7 lakh pollution-related deaths were caused by PM2.5 pollution, while another 6.1 lakh resulted from household air pollution.
Despite efforts to combat household air pollution, such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana programme, the number of deaths remains exceedingly high. This is particularly true in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which houses some of the most polluted cities, including New Delhi.
Challenges in Tackling Air Pollution
India struggles with effective air pollution control due to insufficient centralised administration. As a result, any improvement in air quality has been limited and uneven. Key causes include biomass burning in households, coal combustion, and crop burning.
Lead pollution is another concern. Globally, 9 lakh people die annually due to lead pollution. Sources of exposure include unsound recycling of lead-acid batteries and e-waste without pollution controls, contamination in spices, and lead-glazed pottery.
Recommendations for Pollution Prevention
To fight pollution, the report suggests countries focus on air pollution, lead pollution, and chemical pollution, which are key issues in modern pollution. Recommendations also include incorporating pollution prevention into plans to tackle other key threats, such as climate, biodiversity, food, and agriculture.
Donors are urged to allocate funding for pollution management. International organisations should establish an SPI (Science Policy Interface) for pollution, similar to those for climate and biodiversity.
Government Initiatives to Combat Air Pollution
In India, various initiatives have been launched to combat air pollution. These include the Graded Response Action Plan, Polluter Pay principle, Smog Tower, National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the implementation of BS-VI vehicles, and the launch of the new Commission for Air Quality Management.
Despite these efforts, the toll of pollution on public health remains significant, highlighting the need for continued investment in this area to ensure a healthier future for all citizens. As the report’s findings suggest, tackling pollution needs to be a top priority for policymakers, health experts, and the public alike, with strategies aimed not only at reducing pollution levels but also at mitigating the health risks associated with exposure to harmful pollutants.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
One of the previous year questions from the UPSC Civil Services Examination asked about the reasons for exposure to benzene pollution. The options included automobile exhaust, tobacco smoke, wood burning, using varnished wooden furniture, and using products made of polyurethane. The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3 only which are: automobile exhaust, tobacco smoke, and wood burning.
Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to air. Major sources are natural processes such as volcanoes and forest fires, but most exposure comes from human activities. These include automobile exhaust, tobacco smoke, and wood burning. Benzene is also used in industries to make other chemicals for plastics and furniture, but these are not direct sources of benzene pollution.
