Delhi tops list in number of years lost to air pollution to 6.3 years -Governance Now

Delhi tops list in number of years lost to air pollution to 6.3 years

The study estimates the Indo-Gangetic region for 42% of premature mortalities

GN Bureau | June 7, 2016

#Delhi #air pollution #pollution #IITM #PM 2.5 #ozone exposure #mortality

A recent study conducted by Indian institute of tropical meteorology (IITM), Pune shows that exposure to fine particulate matter in India reduces human life expectancy by about 3.4 ± 1.1 years. Delhi tops the list in the number of years lost to almost 6.3 ± 2.2 years due to exposure to particulate matter (PM) 2.5.

The study, titled 'Premature Mortalities due to PM 2.5 and Ozone Exposure in India', conducted in collaboration with the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Colorado, quantifies, present-day premature mortalities associated with the exposure to near-surface PM 2.5 and ozone concentrations in India using a regional chemistry model.

The study which is based on data compiled in the 2011 census, reports the following:

•    In 2011, about 5,70,000 premature deaths in India were caused by exposure to PM 2.5 and an additional 12,000 were caused by exposure to ozone.

•    The Indo-Gangetic region accounts for a large part (42%) of the estimated premature mortalities. This includes Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. While UP recorded 15% of the country's deaths due to pollution, Maharashtra stood second with 10%. This is followed by West Bengal (9%) and Bihar (8%).

•    Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan collectively account for 32% of the countrywide premature mortalities.

•    Mortalities due to exposure to harmful ozone pollution is 18% in UP which tops the list of total deaths. Bihar is (11%); West Bengal (9.5%) and Maharashtra (7%) come after that.

•    The economic cost of the estimated premature mortalities associated with PM 2.5 and ozone exposure together is about 640 billion USD in 2011, which is a factor of 10 higher than total expenditure on health by public and private expenditure.

ITM scientist Sachin Ghude, who was involved in the study, was quoted by The Times of India saying, "Although these results are in line with other global estimates, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), there's no physical way to tell who has actually been killed by air pollution."

Ghude added, "The methods used in this study rely on statistical algorithms to construct estimates about a population's response to pollution exposure using previous concrete observations on pollution and public health.

Comments

Other News

Here’s an I.D.E.A. for career growth and success

Success in today’s professional organisation is no longer solely determined by academic qualifications, technical expertise or years of experience. While these attributes do matter, organisations increasingly value individuals who demonstrate the right mindset and behavioural qualities. The ability

PM interacts with CEOs, founders of space startups

Prime minister Narendra Modi interacted with CEOs and Founders of 20 Space Startups at Seva Teerth on Friday. CEOs of leading companies in the space sector working in diverse fields ranging from building rockets and reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satelli

From one cow to a dairy business

In 2012, Anita Dash wasn`t dreaming of building a dairy brand. She wasn`t studying business models or planning market expansion. Like countless mothers across India, her focus was on something much simpler: giving her children a better future. At the time, her most valuable

Ethanol blending: The two sides of a story

India`s crude oil consumption is estimated to be around 88.5% imported from abroad. This one single figure is also responsible for why ethanol has become both an economic strategy and fuel policy at the same time. In an economy like India, which depends so heavily on foreign oil, any increase in internat

Food inflation: Not a macroeconomic statistic but a developmental indicator

India`s retail inflation shows a reassuring picture at first glance. According to the latest data, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation edged up to 4.38% in June 2026 from 3.93% in May 2026, but continued to remain within the Reserve Bank of India`s (RBI) target band of 4% (+/- 2%). However, beneath this

Skin in the game or masterful market timing?

When a company founder opens their personal chequebook to buy shares in their own business, stock markets usually applaud. To the average retail investor, it feels like the ultimate vote of confidence, a sign that the people running the show have real skin in the game and believe brighter days are ahead.