Air pollution in India led to 3.8 million deaths between 2009 and 2019, a study finds, with current guidelines failing to protect public health.
Vishwam Sankaran reports for The Independent.
In short:
- Researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet analyzed mortality data linked to PM2.5 particles across 655 districts in India.
- The study found a 3.8 million death toll over a decade, linked to pollution levels exceeding India’s air quality standard of 40 micrograms per cubic meter.
- If WHO’s stricter guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter were applied, deaths could rise to 16.6 million.
Key quote:
"The results show that current guidelines in India are not sufficient to protect health."
— Dr. Petter Ljungman, study lead author
Why this matters:
Air pollution is a silent killer affecting millions, and India’s population faces chronic exposure to dangerous PM2.5 levels. Stronger regulations and emission controls are needed to prevent more deaths and protect public health.
Read more: Inequities in air pollution exposure heighten health risks for India's vulnerable communities
