Major Indian Cities in the top ten account for over 70% of all deaths caused by air pollution. A recent analysis posted in the Lancet Planetary Health journal indicates the magnitude of this health menace caused by dirty air in towns nationwide.
Overview and Results
The study concentrated on PM 2.5 pollution, which refers to tiny particles that can infiltrate deep into the lungs and even enter blood, causing various illnesses. They examined the distribution of these hazardous particles in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi (the capital), Hyderabad (the capital of Andhra Pradesh), Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), Mumbai (formerly Bombay), and Pune (the capital city of Maharashtra State), among other locations. Shimla-the summer capital of Himachal Pradesh State, from May to June each year & Varanasi-one, one of the world’s oldest living cities located along the Ganges River banks, where Hindu pilgrims come daily hoping for salvation.
Health Impact of PM 2.5 Pollution
PM 2.5 pollution worsens asthma among many other respiratory ailments like COPD. Most people living in towns experience this. Its high levels are there because it also causes cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks followed closely by strokes, leading eventually to lung cancer within cities heavily populated with such dangerous contaminants as this one.
Immediate Action Needed
Dr Joel Schwartz, an environmental health specialist at Harvard University. Has warned that if India wants her citizens not to die prematurely from breathing dirty air, she must act now! He said there are proven ways to reduce haze over their cities. Enforce stricter emission standards for factories burning fossil fuels or switch them off entirely.
Problems and Solutions
Air pollution is a serious problem. Efforts to combat it face hindrances due to weak enforcement of laws. Rapid urbanization and industrialization. There’s no time to waste, though, as Dr Schwartz also stressed that millions could die in Major Indian Cities. If urgent steps are not taken immediately against this silent killer.
