Study shows pollution in Indian capital shorten lifespan of almost 10 years
14 Jun BBC reported that the study by the Air Quality Life Index by the Energy Policy Research Institute Pollution can shorten lives by nearly 10 years in India’s capital, Delhi. It is the world’s most polluted city, adding that the average life expectancy for all Indians is five years shorter at current air quality levels.
FILE- REUTERS
India’s 1.3 billion people live in areas where average annual particulate pollution levels exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) safety limit of 5µg/m³ (5 micrograms per cubic meter), and bad air kills millions, the report said. in india every year
The air is full of smog. often covered cities india in winter There are harmful microscopic dusts such as PM2.5, which are tiny particles that can clog the lungs and cause various diseases.
The study found that about 510 million people living in northern India — almost 40 percent of the Indian population — will likely have a 7.6-year reduction in their average age with current pollution levels.
However, reducing pollution levels to WHO standards would mean some 240 million people in Uttar Pradesh. north india will have an average life expectancy of 10 years.
According to EPIC, as of 2013, 44 percent of the world’s population has come from India, the world’s second most polluted country now.
AFP
More than 63% of Indians live in areas that exceed the country’s air quality standard, which says 40µg/m³ (40 micrograms per cubic meter) is safe, according to the report, but in 2019 India’s average particulate matter concentration was 70.3µg. /m³ (70 micrograms per cubic meter) highest in the world
Michael Greenstone, one of the study authors, said: “This will be a global emergency. If Mars enters Earth and spews a substance that causes the average person on Earth to have a life expectancy of more than two years, this is similar to the situation that occurs in many parts of the world. except that we are the ones who sprayed such substances Not a space invader
According to EPIC, particle pollution is the most serious threat to human life in India in terms of life expectancy, and since 1998 this particulate pollution has increased by 61.4% more fatal than smoking, which lowers life expectancy by about 2.5 percent. year
The report states that The increase in air pollution over the past 20 years in India is mainly due to the industry. economic development and the rapidly rising use of fossil fuels. The number of vehicles on the country’s roads has increased by about four times.
The report highlights government efforts to combat air pollution – the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) aims to reduce harmful particulate matter by 20 to 30%.
“If India is to maintain this decline It will lead to remarkable health improvements,” he added, adding that a 25% reduction in pollution would increase the country’s life expectancy by 1.4 years and an increase of 2.6 years for residents of Delhi.
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Study finds pollution kills 2.3 million Indians in 2019