Speaking at a workshop on air pollution-related health risks, Dr H Paramesh, Lakeside Hospital, presented results from many studies that established the links. “The balance between genetics and environmental factors is tilting towards the latter.”

Children are most affected as their lungs have the highest surface area, plus they are more active and breathe in more air.

While pollution alone cannot be blamed for respiratory diseases, it has been established they increase the risk, concluded Dr George D’Souza from St John”s Hospital.

Bangalore has the dubious distinction of having over 10 per cent asthma patients, and more than 50 per cent of children with air pollution-related diseases.

With over 1,000 vehicles being added every day, a nightmare scenario of all the vehicles taking to the road at the same time would mean the roads of the City would not be enough!  Anand Rao, environmental head of BMTC, is hopeful of reducing two and four wheelers by 50 per cent by the end of the decade.

“By bringing in incentives, and educating the masses,” he said. “For instance, not many people may know about the Rs 1,700 pass we are issuing now. You can use this pass for a whole year to board any bus/”
Regarding pollution, he felt fuel efficiency had to be improved.

The KSPCB, which organised the workshop along with 19 other partners, spoke about its 14-action plan to improve the air quality in Bangalore.

Parisara vahinis donated to the transport department are equipped to check vehicular emissions on the spot, said M D N Simha, KSPCB.

Among future plans are a proposal to monitor PM2.5 particulates (at present it is only up to PM10 being considered). The national standards are being reviewed by the Central Pollution Board.

An ad hoc committee will be formed out of the workshop which will take up implementation of solutions to tackle air pollution and related health problems.