According to a report by the Air Quality-Life Index (AQLI), India can improve the life quality and life expectancy of a majority of its population just by reducing the air pollution complying to the standard of World Health Organization (WHO). The report was released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.
It specifies how Indian could live about four years longer on average and even more in some cities if the WHO criterion is met.
What's wrong with the Indian pollution measuring standard?
Air Quality-Life Index (AQLI) shows how reducing PM2.5 pollution can help with a better quality of life. The Indian standard, which is set by the Central Pollution Control Board is less stringent than the WHO standard.
The standard set by the WHO estimates the number of years a country could add to its people's lives by meeting their standards for PM2.5. The WHO standard for permissible levels of PM2.5 in the air (annual) is 10 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3). India's National Ambient Air Quality standard for PM2.5 is set at 40 ug/m3 which is 4 times higher!
Despite many such studies and evidence, the Indian government has denied any link between air pollution and premature deaths.
What is PM2.5 pollutant?
• It is particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size, or 30 times finer than a human hair
• When inhaled, can enter deep into the lungs and sometimes the bloodstream to cause serious harm
• The tiny particles also reduces visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated
• It is one of the deadliest form of air pollution as it can penetrate deep into blood streams unfiltered and can cause permanent DNA mutations, heart attacks and premature death.
