Deaths associated with PM2.5 pollution in India have risen 2.5-fold over the last two decades, suggests a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the report stated that India accounted for one in every four deaths due to air pollution in 2019. Data represented in the CSE’s report, "State of Indias Environment Report", indicates that 6.67 million individuals died due to air pollution worldwide. Overall, 1.67 million of these deaths occurred in India.

Poor air quality was the fourth major risk factor accountable for early death globally in 2019. The report stated that over the last two decades, deaths attributable to ambient PM2.5 in India increased from 2,79,500 in 1990 to 9,79,900 in 2019… (ET Healthworld – PTI, March 2, 2022)