New Delhi: India’s premier health research body’s report has found that 1.7 million deaths, or 18% of the total deaths in the country in 2019, were attributable to air pollution. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) being the leading cause amounting to 32.5 % deaths, followed by Ischaemic heart disease (29.2%), stroke (16.2%) and lower respiratory infections led to 11.2% deaths.
“Worsening of Air Quality Index (higher AQI value) especially of ‘poor to severe’ in an area may result in increase in morbidity and mortality among those who are exposed to particularly vulnerable populations like children, elderly, etc,” it said.
According to an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study, air pollution caused 11.5% of the total DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Year) in India. DALYs are the years lost to hindrance caused by a particular disease. One DALY represents one year.
The air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) is wreaking havoc, prompting concerns about health and safety. Experts stressed that such levels of pollutants can lead to short- and long-term ailments.
Dr Harsh Mahajan, chair-FICCI health services committee and founder & chief radiologist, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said the extremely severe pollution in the air of Delhi and surrounding areas is not only going to lead to acute problems affecting the chest, lungs, heart, brain, pregnant ladies and unborn children, but will also lead to a long-term epidemic of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, reduction of lung volumes as well as cancer of the lungs, and other parts of the body.
The major sources of air pollution in the country, the study revealed, are industrial emissions (through fossil fuel burning, process and fugitive emission, vehicular exhaust, re-suspension of road dust, construction and demolition activities, refuge burning (garbage, horticulture wastes, crop residues), and use of solid fuels for cooking and burning of firecrackers.
The study found indoor pollution is caused by burning biomass such as wood, coal, dung, and kerosene.
