Air pollution in India linked to millions of deaths

India emits about 3 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases each year; about two and a half tons per person, which is less than the world average. The country emits 7% of global emissions, despite having 17% of the world population.

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India is one of the countries that is severely affected by air pollution. As many as 22 out of 30 most polluted cities in the world are located in India.

A new study from Karolinska Institute shows that long-term exposure to air pollution contributes to millions of deaths in India. The research, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, emphasises the need for stricter air quality regulations in the country.

Air pollution consisting of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, PM2.5, can enter the lungs and bloodstream and is a major health risk in India. Researchers have now examined the link between these particles and mortality over a ten-year period. The study is based on data from 655 districts in India between 2009 and 2019.

Researchers found that every 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in PM2.5 concentration led to an 8.6 percent increase in mortality.