“Across 10 cities in the country – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi, around 33,000 deaths per year can be attributed to air pollution levels that are above the WHO guidelines.

A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that air pollution leads to approximately 33,000 deaths annually in 10 Indian cities, even at pollution levels below India’s national clean air threshold. The research highlights that India’s air quality standards are significantly higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air, emphasizing the need for stricter norms.

The study analyzed PM2.5 exposure data and daily mortality rates from 2008 to 2019 in cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi. It found that even minor increases in PM2.5 levels were linked to higher daily death rates. Delhi recorded the highest number of pollution-related deaths, with 12,000 annually, representing 11.5% of total deaths. Varanasi had the second highest number, with 10.2% or around 830 deaths annually.

In cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, significant numbers of deaths were attributed to short-term PM2.5 exposure exceeding WHO guidelines. Bengaluru recorded around 2,100 deaths annually, Chennai 2,900, Kolkata 4,700, and Mumbai 5,100. Even cities not typically associated with high pollution levels experienced notable death rates due to air pollution.

The study underscores the urgent need for India to adopt more stringent air quality standards and intensify efforts to control air pollution, as current levels are insufficient to protect public health.

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