Breathing bad: A lung surgeon's prescription for our air pollution

Every city needs data-driven pre-emptive interventions to safeguard the air we share as a matter of collective responsibility

- ARVIND KUMAR

Every breath we take holds the potential for life or disease, and as a lung surgeon tracking and treating respiratory diseases, I am a witness to the silent war waged within our bodies on account of the toxic air we breathe. Air pollution is not merely an environmental concern; it is a public health crisis of colossal proportions. Globally, every year it claims at least 7 million lives. To put this number in perspective, 7 million is roughly the Worldometer tally of the entire covid pandemic’s death toll (though the actual number may be higher). The spectre of pollution looms over every stage of life, with links to diseases ranging from cancer and asthma to heart disease and dementia. Despite its catastrophic toll, 99% of the world’s population resides in areas where air quality exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. On top of it, the economic costs of air pollution-related health impacts are tremendous, amounting to over $8.1 trillion, or 6.1% of global GDP, in 2019.

India, with its burgeoning urbanization, is grappling with a dire air quality crisis. Over 80% of our cities bear witness to recurring spells of hazardous air. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, strives to combat this menace and had set an ambitious target of reducing PM2.5 pollution by 20-30% by 2024. In 2022, the NCAP aim was extended to 2026, by when it’s aiming for a 40% reduction in pollution levels from the 2017 levels. However, the battle against air pollution extends beyond governmental initiatives; it requires a collective, conscientious effort by each city, every policymaker and each citizen. As cities evolve, so must our strategies for combating the adverse health effects of pollution.