Study highlights air pollution below the quality standards lead to increased daily mortality rates in India

A recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health reveals that even air pollution levels below current Indian standards contribute to increased daily mortality rates across the country. Examining data from 10 cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi, the study identifies approximately 33,000 annual deaths linked to PM2.5 pollution levels surpassing WHO guidelines. Surprisingly, cities traditionally not regarded as highly polluted, such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai, also showed significant mortality impacts.

Researchers utilized PM2.5 exposure data and daily mortality counts from 2008 to 2019, marking the first comprehensive multi-city analysis of short-term air pollution exposure and mortality in India. Findings underscore the necessity for stricter national air quality standards and intensified pollution control efforts. The collaborative study involved institutions from India (Sustainable Futures Collaborative, Ashoka University, Centre for Chronic Disease Control), Sweden (Karolinska Institutet), USA (Harvard University, Boston University), and others, including members of the CHAIR-India consortium.