Air pollution 2nd biggest health risk in India annual economic cost over USD 150bn Report
New Delhi Mar 23 PTI Air pollution is the second biggest factor affecting human health in India and its economic cost is estimated to exceed USD 150 billion annually a latest report saidThe World Air Quality Report 2022 prepared by Swiss organization IQAir and released globally on Tuesday found that Indias PM 25 level returned to pre-COVID lockdown concentrations measured in 2019Air pollution has a massive impact on human health in India It is the second biggest risk factor for disease and the economic cost of air pollution is estimated to exceed USD 150 billion dollars annually it statedThe major sources of air pollution in India include vehicular emissions power generation industrial waste biomass combustion for cooking the construction sector and episodic events like crop burningIn 2019 the Environment Ministry enacted the National Clean Air Programme NCAP which seeks to reduce particulate matter PM concentrations by 20 to 30 per cent by 2024 in all identified non-attainment cities increase air quality monitoring and implement a city regional and state-specific clean air action plan as well as conduct source apportionment studiesThe report observed that the lockdowns restrictions and the resulting economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made it difficult to determine NCAPs impact based on air pollution levels aloneIt said apart from city-specific action plans no other plans have been formulated under NCAP prescribed timelinesAdditionally there is little information about the activities related to the NCAP making it difficult to dispel the publics dissatisfaction with the slow progress under the programmeIt is estimated that 20 to 35 per cent of total urban PM25 concentrations is directly or indirectly due to internal combustion engines in motor vehicles Annual vehicle sales in India are expected to increase with an estimated fleet number reaching 105 million in 2030 the report noted PTI AG NSD NSD
New Delhi Mar 23 PTI Air pollution is the second biggest factor affecting human health in India and its economic cost is estimated to exceed USD 150 billion annually a latest report saidThe World Air Quality Report 2022 prepared by Swiss organization IQAir and released globally on Tuesday found that Indias PM 25 level returned to pre-COVID lockdown concentrations measured in 2019Air pollution has a massive impact on human health in India It is the second biggest risk factor for disease and the economic cost of air pollution is estimated to exceed USD 150 billion dollars annually it statedThe major sources of air pollution in India include vehicular emissions power generation industrial waste biomass combustion for cooking the construction sector and episodic events like crop burningIn 2019 the Environment Ministry enacted the National Clean Air Programme NCAP which seeks to reduce particulate matter PM concentrations by 20 to 30 per cent by 2024 in all identified non-attainment cities increase air quality monitoring and implement a city regional and state-specific clean air action plan as well as conduct source apportionment studiesThe report observed that the lockdowns restrictions and the resulting economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made it difficult to determine NCAPs impact based on air pollution levels aloneIt said apart from city-specific action plans no other plans have been formulated under NCAP prescribed timelinesAdditionally there is little information about the activities related to the NCAP making it difficult to dispel the publics dissatisfaction with the slow progress under the programmeIt is estimated that 20 to 35 per cent of total urban PM25 concentrations is directly or indirectly due to internal combustion engines in motor vehicles Annual vehicle sales in India are expected to increase with an estimated fleet number reaching 105 million in 2030 the report noted PTI AG NSD NSD
