New Delhi: The latest study published in The Lancet Planetary Health reveals that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 pollution led to a staggering 1.5 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019. The study highlights that all 1.4 billion people in India live in areas where the annual average concentration of PM2.5 exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. Additionally, nearly 82% of India’s population, or 1.1 billion people, reside in regions with PM2.5 levels higher than the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards of 40 micrograms per cubic meter.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has particles smaller than 2.5 millimeters in diameter, is a major source of air pollution, especially in urban and rural areas. The study also found that even small increases in PM2.5 concentrations—specifically a rise of 10 microns per cubic meter—correlated with an 8.6% rise in annual deaths.
This research, based on data from over 1,000 ground-monitoring stations and satellites, provides an alarming look at the health risks associated with air pollution in India. The researchers emphasize the need for urgent regulation to curb emissions and protect public health.
