New Delhi: Pollution is not just harmful but can also kill. Delhi’s poor air quality has rightly made it the centre of media and government attention.Â
Air pollution in Delhi is killing around 80 people every day, according to an international study. The alarming figure was released by the Union Environment ministry in a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament.
One of the biggest reasons cited is the respirable particulate matter that leads to morbidity and premature deaths.
Environment minister Prakash Javdekar said, “An international study released recently has claimed that foul air is killing up to 80 people a day in Delhi. The numbers of premature deaths given in the study are based on the constructive estimates and extrapolations of data.”
The findings are based on two studies commissioned by the Centre, ‘Epidemiological Study on Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health in Delhi’ during 2002-2005 and ‘Study on Ambient Air Quality, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi’ that was done between 2003-2005.
Javdekar also said, “The studies indicate that several pulmonary and systemic immunity and damage to chromosomes and DNA and other health impairments are associated with cumulative exposure to high level of particulate pollution that increases the risk of various diseases including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.”
Earlier in April, the government had announced that a three-month action plan has been prepared to combat pollution in Delhi. An air quality index was also launched onApril 6Â to monitor air quality in 10 cities.
(With inputs from PTI)