A new study revealed a bleak picture of Delhi, the world's most polluted city. The city's severe air pollution crisis is causing a stunning drop in life expectancy, with inhabitants potentially losing nearly 12 years. This troubling discovery is based on data from 2021, specifically PM2.5 levels, which measure small particulate matter in the air. According to the data, air pollution in India grew from 56.2 g/m3 in 2020 to 58.7 g/m3 in 2021, exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended standard by more than tenfold.
What's more, every one of India's 1.3 billion inhabitants lives in locations with annual average particle pollution levels. Approximately 67.4% of the Indian population lives in areas where air quality exceeds the country's own national rules.
The yearly average PM2.5 level in Delhi in 2021 was a shocking 126.5 g/m3, which is more than 25 times the WHO recommendation of 5 g/m3. This level of pollution has serious implications, with residents potentially losing over 12 years of life expectancy.
The study also revealed a concerning trend: particle pollution has increased by 67.7% over the years, reducing life expectancy by 2.3 years. Further, from 2013 to 2021, India was responsible for 59.1% of the global rise in pollution.
Particulate pollution (PM2.5) is the greatest serious threat to human health in India, costing the average Indian 5.3 years of life expectancy. In comparison, cardiovascular illness reduces life expectancy by around 4.5 years, whereas child and maternal malnutrition reduces life expectancy by about 1.8 years.
The report shows that immediate action is required to address this public health issue, as millions of Indians face losing years of their life due to chronically high pollution levels.
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