NEW DELHI: If Delhi is able to reduce the PM2.5 levels within the national standard of 40 micrograms per cubic metre, the potential life expectancy of Delhiites will rise by 6.6 years. The annual analysis of Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) says Delhi is the most polluted state in the country.
The Centre launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 with a target of reducing particulate pollution by 20% to 30%, relative to the 2017 levels, by 2024. The NCAP targets are non-binding. An AQLI analysis said if Delhi is able to achieve 25% reduction in fine particulate pollution concentration as per NCAP, it will increase life expectancy by 2.7 years for residents of Delhi. Track the pollution level in your city
The Energy Policy Institute releases a report on impact of air pollution on life expectancy every year. The AQLI analysis, which was released in 2021, had said Delhiites were losing 9.7 years of their lives because the WHO norms were not being met.
However, the report released on Tuesday has considered 2020 as the base year and included the revised guidelines of WHO. Last year, WHO had revised its guidelines and reduced the safe limit for PM2.5 from 10 micrograms per cubic metre to 5 micrograms per cubic metre. “By updating the AQLI with the new WHO guidelines based on the latest science, we have a better grasp of the true cost we are paying for breathing polluted air,” says AQLI director Christa Hasenkopf. “There is a stronger case for governments to prioritise it as an urgent policy issue,” he said.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said: “There is mounting evidence about the effects of air pollution on health but the important message is air pollution-related deaths and illness are preventable. The new evidence shows reducing pollution and meeting the clean air targets can save lives.” She stressed on the need to push implementation of clean air solutions on a big scale and speed across all regions of India.
Sachchida N Tripathi of the civil engineering department at IIT Kanpur, who is a member of the steering committee for NCAP, said: “PM2.5 definitely affects human health adversely. Several studies have shown that PM2.5 concentration is high in India. The goal should be to meet the national standard and, if required, studies should be undertaken to determine if the national standard needs to be revised.” Watch Do you know that air pollution in Delhi is shortening your life?