State of India’s Environment Report: Deaths linked to PM2.5 pollution in India increased by 2.5 times in 2 decades: Report \

What is the News?

According to the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) “State of India’s Environment Report”, deaths attributable to PM2.5 pollution in India have increased by 2.5 times over the last two decades.

What is the State of India’s Environment Report?

It is an annual publication by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) along with Down To Earth. It covers aspects such as forests, wildlife, agriculture, rural development, water and sanitation, pollution, climate change among others.

What does the report say on Air Pollution in India?

Poor air quality was the fourth leading risk factor for early death worldwide in 2019, surpassed only by high blood pressure, tobacco use and poor diet.

Deaths due to Air Pollution: Around 6.67 million people died due to air pollution in the world. Of these, 1.67 million deaths occurred in India. China saw 1.85 million deaths due to air pollution.

Infant Deaths due to Air Pollution: Around 4,76,000 infants died globally in their first month of life from health effects associated with air pollution exposure in 2019. Of these, 1,16,000 deaths occurred in India.

Deaths due to PM 2.5: Deaths attributable to ambient PM2.5 in India have increased by 2.5 times — from 2.7 lakh in 1990 to 9.8 lakh in 2019. 

Note: PM2.5 refers to fine particles which penetrate deep into the body and fuel inflammation in the lungs and respiratory tract, leading to the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory problems including a weak immune system).

Deaths due to ozone in India have increased by 2.9 times — from 43,000 in 1990 to 1.68 lakh in 2019.

However, deaths due to household air pollution in the country have decreased by over 40% — from 10 lakh in 1990 to 6 lakh in 2019.

Source: This post is based on the article “Deaths linked to PM2.5 pollution in India increased by 2.5 times in 2 decades: Report” published in Economic Times on 2nd March 2022.