"An recent international study has claimed that foul air is killing up to 80 people a day in Delhi. The number of premature deaths given in the study is based on the constructive estimates and extrapolations of data," he said.

Last month, TOI had reported the findings of the study published in "Environmental Science and Technology" journal, which concluded that 45% of premature deaths linked to air pollution in Delhi could be avoided if the city met the national ambient air quality standard for PM2.5 that is 60 micrograms per cubic metre. In fact, 85% of these deaths could be avoided if the city's air can be cleaned up to the safe standards set by the World Health Organization, which is 10 micrograms per cubic metre, the study revealed.

Across India, as many as 4 lakh premature deaths could be prevented every year if the WHO standards are met.

The authors of the study extrapolated that PM 2.5, or fine, respirable pollution particles that can get lodged in the lungs or enter the blood stream, could be responsible for 10,000-30,000 premature deaths annually in Delhi - up to 80 deaths each day.

The study authored by Joshua S Apte from University of Texas, Julian D Marshall from University of Minnesota, Aaron J Cohen fromHealth Effects Institute and Michael Brauer from University of British Columbia released a map of India showing places of highest morbidity due to air pollution.

Javadekar said the government had sponsored two studies in the national capital, "Epidemiological study on effects of air pollution on human health in Delhi" during the period from and "Study on ambient air quality, respiratory symptoms and lung function of children in Delhi. Commissioned by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the studies were conducted from 2002 to 2005.

"The studies indicate cases of pulmonary and systemic immunity, damage to chromosomes and DNA as well as other health impairments are associated with cumulative exposure to high level of particulate pollution. This increases the risk of various diseases, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases," Javadekar said.

In the study titled "Epidemiological Study on Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health" 6005 healthy adults who were residents of Delhi for ten years or more, aged between 21 - 66 years were surveyed and compared with subjects from rural areas of North and South 24 parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, West and East Medinipur in West Bengal. The study which was carried out in November 2002 and August 2005 found lung function was reduced in 40.3% individuals of Delhi compared with 20.1% in the subjects from West Bengal. The team from Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) who conducted the study found many other shocking trends.