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Air Pollution: Health and Economic Emergency
Context:
In his 36 years as a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Arvind Kumar has examined and operated on tens of thousands of chests. He explains that human lungs, a pristine pink at birth, reflect the story of every breath taken throughout a lifetime.
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- “For years, I could map urban pollution on lung tissue—black spots here, larger stains there. But now, it’s everywhere,” said Dr. Kumar from his office at Medanta Medicity Hospital, Gurugram.
- He has been alarmed by the worsening impact of air pollution on lung health—not just among the elderly or those with pre-existing lung diseases but even in teenagers.
- “The lungs of adolescents today resemble those of lifelong smokers. Pollution isn’t just in our cities; it’s within us,” he warned.
An Invisible Epidemic:
- The growing toll of poor air quality on public health is underscored by the 2024 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap and Adaptation Gap reports.
- These reports highlight that emissions are rising globally, with India experiencing an over 6% increase compared to last year.
- Pollution is no longer just an environmental challenge—it is a pressing public health crisis.
Silent but Lethal:
- India’s poor air quality has silently affected communities for decades, leading to devastating health outcomes.
- According to Dr. Pallavi Pant of the Health Effects Institute, air pollution is the country’s leading environmental health risk and a major cause of premature deaths.
- In 2021 alone, nearly two million lives in India were cut short due to pollution-related diseases.
- Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions face the gravest risks, including respiratory infections, impaired lung function, and cardiovascular diseases.
A Fractured Response:
- India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, aimed to reduce particulate matter pollution by 20-30% by 2024, later revising the target to 40% by 2026.
- However, experts believe the program lacks effective implementation.
- The NCAP goals are unrealistic without a transition to clean energy and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
Economic and Social Costs:
- Pollution increases hospitalisations and healthcare costs while reducing productivity through lost work and school days.
- The poorest are the most exposed yet the least equipped to deal with the consequences.
- A report by Greenpeace indicated that air pollution from fossil fuels results in an estimated economic cost of $2.9 trillion, equating to about 3.3% of the world’s GDP.
The Energy Transition Challenge:
- While India is promoting electric vehicles, their benefits are limited if coal-fired electricity is used for charging.
- The root cause is our dependence on fossil fuels.
- Tackling systemic issues like reliance on coal while investing in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure is crucial.
Toward Comprehensive Solutions:
- Experts advocated for a regionalised approach to tackle India’s diverse pollution sources—industrial emissions, stubble burning, or urban vehicle congestion.
- Adding pollution as a cause of death on certificates to raise awareness and push for stronger health and policy actions.
- Dr. Swaminathan proposed establishing a unified regulatory body akin to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to streamline environmental standards.
