The average life expectancy might be reduced by 5 years among Indians, as was disclosed in a study. The study conducted by the latest Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) showed that air pollution caused more loss in the average life expectancy compared to the loss due to malnutrition among children and mothers and smoking.

The University of Chicago′s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) in its reports stated that 40 % of Indians living in the Indo-Gangetic plains would have their life expectancy shortened by 7.6 years if the current pollution levels persisted in the region. A loss of ten years of life was predicted among residents of Delhi which is considered the worlds most polluted metropolis. India has been responsible for 44% of the global rise in pollution since 2013, with a growth of 50% in average yearly particle pollution (PM2.5) since 1998. PM 2. 5 exposures claimed around 80% of deaths around the world.

Air pollution has the same impact on life expectancy as smoking, and is more than three times as dangerous as drinking alcohol and polluted water, six times as dangerous as HIV/AIDS, and 89 times as dangerous as conflict and terrorism. According to the EPIC analysis, if India reached its national air quality standard of 40 g/m3, Indians would have gained 1. 6 years of life.

India launched its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, to reduce particle pollution by 20-30% by 2024, compared to 2017 levels. A permanent decrease of 25% would enhance Indias average national life expectancy by 1. 4 years and 2. 6 years for residents of Delhi.

AQLI director Hrista Hasenkopf said, “Now that our understanding of pollution’s impact on human health has improved, there is a stronger case for governments to prioritise it as an urgent policy issue.”(ETHealthWorld, June 15, 2022)