The silent inequity of air pollution

Air pollution is a national emergency that silently poisons the air we all breathe. While the issue is often framed as a ‘North Indian’ problem, with cities like Delhi grabbing the spotlight, the deeper truth is that this crisis is rooted in inequity across all of India.

The poorest and most marginalised — children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing health conditions — are left to inhale the most toxic air, often with no escape.

The inequity doesn’t stop there. Air pollution is only acknowledged as a crisis in the northern cities, leaving the rest of the country to suffer in silence. Cities across India, face the serious toxic levels of pollution, yet the conversation remains disproportionately focused only on the north.

This is not just a battle for cleaner air — it is a struggle for social justice. A crisis that ignores the people who are most affected by it, and a crisis that treats the health of citizens in one part of the country as less urgent than those in another.

Toll on vulnerable communities

Worldwide, air pollution was linked to a total of 709,000 deaths in children under five years old, according to the 2024 State of Global Air. Women, already burdened with caregiving, often suffer more from pollution, deepening inequality. Air pollution is linked to higher rates of miscarriages, pregnancy complications, and stillbirths, affecting women’s reproductive health. The elderly with their weakened immune systems and people with chronic ailments like asthma, COPD, or heart disease are especially vulnerable to exacerbated symptoms, often facing the added challenge of inadequate access to healthcare.

Perhaps the most overlooked group in the conversation about air pollution is the millions of outdoor workers who spend long hours exposed to the very toxins that put their health at risk. These workers, often from lower-income backgrounds, do not have the luxury of staying indoors to avoid polluted air. Whether they work at construction sites, street vendors, or delivery personnel, like every other environmental crisis, they are also at the frontlines of India’s air pollution crisis.

Alarming NO2 problem

Air pollution is a silent epidemic that is slowly choking the life out of our urban centres. While the media often shines its spotlight on Delhi's toxic air, 80% of Indian cities are suffering in silence, breathing air that fails to meet even the most basic health standards.

The latest findings from Greenpeace India report reveal a stark reality; 89% of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations across seven major Indian cities — Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO)’s annual health-based pollution guidelines.

Satellite data over the past five years shows a consistent increase in the annual average NO₂ concentrations across all seven cities. The situation is more dire in cities like Pune and Jaipur. In these cities, NO₂ concentrations exceeded healthy levels on more than half of the days in 2023. In Pune, a staggering 95% of days saw air quality readings above the recommended limits. These rising concentrations further deepen the inequalities faced by already vulnerable populations, underscoring that air pollution is not just a northern issue but a national emergency that demands urgent attention.

Yet, the government's response remains sluggish. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have not been revised since 2009. This regulatory stagnation only exacerbates the public health threat, leaving millions to breathe air that is not just harmful but potentially life-threatening.

The inequities in air pollution are further compounded by the fact that poorer communities lack the resources to mitigate environmental harm. This is a profound issue of environmental justice. Air pollution is not only a health issue but a deeply entrenched inequality issue, where those with the least power, income, and access to decision-making are the ones who face the most devastating effects. The root causes of air pollution are deeply intertwined with urban planning and industrial policies that prioritise short-term economic growth over the long-term health and well-being of citizens, particularly those who are already disadvantaged.

Climate ticket

One of the most effective and long-term strategies to address the crisis of air pollution, especially in rapidly growing urban centres, is the strengthening of public transportation systems. Public transport offers a dual benefit. It can reduce vehicular emissions, which are a major source of NO₂, while also providing safe, affordable, and accessible transportation options to those who are most affected by pollution. An efficient, reliable, affordable, and accessible public transport system is key to addressing this issue effectively.

These changes will not come easily. They require a concerted effort from both the government and urban planners to prioritise clean, sustainable, and equitable transport solutions. Public transit must not only be expanded but also made affordable for all. Without accessible transport options, vulnerable communities will continue to be trapped in polluted environments, unable to escape the health risks that come with it.

To break this cycle, a transformative approach is needed — the introduction of a ‘Climate Ticket’ in public transportation could be a game-changer. This would offer discounted fares on public transportation to encourage more people to use cleaner and more sustainable options. By incentivising greater use of public transportation through initiatives like the climate ticket, we can reduce traffic congestion, lower harmful emissions, and drastically improve air quality.

Coupled with a bold commitment to the phase-out of fossil fuels, these actions also confront climate change head-on. Together, they create a pathway toward more sustainable, inclusive cities — where cleaner air, reduced emissions, and equitable urban mobility become a reality for all.

(Selomi Garnaik is a campaigner at Greenpeace India, where she works on campaigns of air pollution and climate justice.)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.