<p>The latest World Air Quality report released by Swiss Air Technology major IQAir has again sent out a grim message about the high levels of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/air-pollution">air pollution</a> in India. </p><p>According to the report, 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India, and more than a third of all Indian cities reported annual PM2.5 levels, exceeding 10 times the WHO limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. </p><p>India is the the world’s fifth most polluted country, and Delhi remains the most polluted capital for the sixth consecutive year.</p><p>Air pollution is not just an urban phenomenon. Even small towns such as Byrnihat in Meghalaya, which tops the country, and Mullanpur in Punjab, are choking with bad air. There is a small decline in the country’s overall PM2.5 concentration, and the country’s overall position has improved from third most polluted country to the fifth, but that is poor consolation.</p>.13 of world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India: Report.<p>Air pollution poses a serious health risk in the country, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years. About 1.5 million deaths, every year from 2009 to 2019, were attributed to air pollution. The number could only be more now. </p><p>Apart from deaths, air pollution causes various medical problems and accounts for large medical expenditure. It should be noted that because of high population density, pollution affects more people in the country than in other countries. </p><p>The economic cost is high. A 2021 study found that air pollution costs India around Rs 7 lakh crore annually in healthcare expenses and lost labour productivity. It is also felt that the picture of air pollution is not complete and the actual situation might be much worse. This is because a large part of the country is out of the air quality monitoring mechanisms.</p>.<p>Most of the pollution is caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, and seasonal crop burning. A National Clean Air Programme exists but implementation is poor. </p><p>The problem is not even recognised as serious, except when cities such as Delhi choke in the winter on polluted air. There is much more to be done in terms of policy and implementation. Very often, a mutual blame game is played between governments and agencies, and even the most essential steps to curb pollution are not taken. </p><p>A pervasive lack of political will marks our attempts to address the problem. Stronger regulatory measures are required, and rules and norms should be enforced strictly. </p><p>There should be incentives for transitions to clean energy and reductions in the use of pollutants. Beijing, which was once the world’s most polluted capital, is a clean city now. That can serve as a lesson.</p>
<p>The latest World Air Quality report released by Swiss Air Technology major IQAir has again sent out a grim message about the high levels of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/air-pollution">air pollution</a> in India. </p><p>According to the report, 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India, and more than a third of all Indian cities reported annual PM2.5 levels, exceeding 10 times the WHO limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. </p><p>India is the the world’s fifth most polluted country, and Delhi remains the most polluted capital for the sixth consecutive year.</p><p>Air pollution is not just an urban phenomenon. Even small towns such as Byrnihat in Meghalaya, which tops the country, and Mullanpur in Punjab, are choking with bad air. There is a small decline in the country’s overall PM2.5 concentration, and the country’s overall position has improved from third most polluted country to the fifth, but that is poor consolation.</p>.13 of world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India: Report.<p>Air pollution poses a serious health risk in the country, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years. About 1.5 million deaths, every year from 2009 to 2019, were attributed to air pollution. The number could only be more now. </p><p>Apart from deaths, air pollution causes various medical problems and accounts for large medical expenditure. It should be noted that because of high population density, pollution affects more people in the country than in other countries. </p><p>The economic cost is high. A 2021 study found that air pollution costs India around Rs 7 lakh crore annually in healthcare expenses and lost labour productivity. It is also felt that the picture of air pollution is not complete and the actual situation might be much worse. This is because a large part of the country is out of the air quality monitoring mechanisms.</p>.<p>Most of the pollution is caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, and seasonal crop burning. A National Clean Air Programme exists but implementation is poor. </p><p>The problem is not even recognised as serious, except when cities such as Delhi choke in the winter on polluted air. There is much more to be done in terms of policy and implementation. Very often, a mutual blame game is played between governments and agencies, and even the most essential steps to curb pollution are not taken. </p><p>A pervasive lack of political will marks our attempts to address the problem. Stronger regulatory measures are required, and rules and norms should be enforced strictly. </p><p>There should be incentives for transitions to clean energy and reductions in the use of pollutants. Beijing, which was once the world’s most polluted capital, is a clean city now. That can serve as a lesson.</p>
