AIR POLLUTION AND CANCER IN INDIA
FACTS
- In 2018 of the 15 most polluted countries in the world 12 were in India.
CAUSES
- Levels of air pollution in India are among the highest in the world.
- Air pollution is due to emissions of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone.
- These gases are released by motor vehicles, coal burning power stations and factories.
- Indoor air pollution is also a problem especially in rural areas.
- Families tend to use biomass fuels for electricity as their electricity is poor.
- They may use animal dung for heating and paraffin for cooking and lighting
HEALTH IMPACTS
- Indoor air pollution responsible for 1million deaths per year.
- Pollution means that average life expectancy of 660million Indians is reduced by over 3 years.
- Particulate pollution, tiny air borne particles released by burning fossil fuels penetrate deep into people’s
lungs and cause respiratory problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, and bronchitis.
- As air pollution levels have increased cities such as Mumbai and Delhi have experienced pollution related
cancers such as lung and bladder cancer.
NATIONAL SOLUTIONS
- Despite overwhelming evidence of human and economic costs of air pollution Indian Governments are in
denial.
- They prioritise economic growth.
- However, after pressure from civil society and Indian courts the national government launched the NCAP.
- A year later progress was made in increasing the number of air quality monitoring stations.
- But in terms of controlling air pollution, progress has been slow.
- NCAP launched as a long-term national strategy to tackle air pollution problem in India setting targets of a
20-30% reduction in particulate matter by 2024.
- But NCAP has come under heavy criticism for its targets not being legally binding (an agreement that is
legally valid and therefore enforceable by law).
- Therefore, if there are no penalties for disregarding the recommendations the outcome is generally
disappointing.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RECENT PROGGRESS MADE WITH THE NATIONAL SOLUTION TO MITIGATE AIR
POLLUTION?
- 14 Indian cities are currently building rapid transit metro systems.
- Restrictions will be placed on burning stubble in the fields- a rapid cause of air pollution in rural areas.
- In Bihar the chimneys of brick-kilns gave been retro fitted to reduce smoke emissions.
- Subsidies for petrol and diesel will be scrapped- 1/3 of all electricity is produced by noxious generators
powered by petrol and diesel fuel.
GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
- Policies devised at the global scale will have benefits for human health at national level by
cutting CO2 and other GHG emissions.
- The EU has been active in combatting air pollution.
- Member states of the EU have contributed 1.8 billion euros to support air quality measures.
- In 2019 the European commission proposed to invest 1 billion euros in 39 clean transport projects to
upgrade Europe’s rail network and develop alternative fuels infrastructure and pave the way for 0
emission water transport.
- The EU also has the world’s largest carbon cap and trade scheme.
FACTS
- In 2018 of the 15 most polluted countries in the world 12 were in India.
CAUSES
- Levels of air pollution in India are among the highest in the world.
- Air pollution is due to emissions of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone.
- These gases are released by motor vehicles, coal burning power stations and factories.
- Indoor air pollution is also a problem especially in rural areas.
- Families tend to use biomass fuels for electricity as their electricity is poor.
- They may use animal dung for heating and paraffin for cooking and lighting
HEALTH IMPACTS
- Indoor air pollution responsible for 1million deaths per year.
- Pollution means that average life expectancy of 660million Indians is reduced by over 3 years.
- Particulate pollution, tiny air borne particles released by burning fossil fuels penetrate deep into people’s
lungs and cause respiratory problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, and bronchitis.
- As air pollution levels have increased cities such as Mumbai and Delhi have experienced pollution related
cancers such as lung and bladder cancer.
NATIONAL SOLUTIONS
- Despite overwhelming evidence of human and economic costs of air pollution Indian Governments are in
denial.
- They prioritise economic growth.
- However, after pressure from civil society and Indian courts the national government launched the NCAP.
- A year later progress was made in increasing the number of air quality monitoring stations.
- But in terms of controlling air pollution, progress has been slow.
- NCAP launched as a long-term national strategy to tackle air pollution problem in India setting targets of a
20-30% reduction in particulate matter by 2024.
- But NCAP has come under heavy criticism for its targets not being legally binding (an agreement that is
legally valid and therefore enforceable by law).
- Therefore, if there are no penalties for disregarding the recommendations the outcome is generally
disappointing.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RECENT PROGGRESS MADE WITH THE NATIONAL SOLUTION TO MITIGATE AIR
POLLUTION?
- 14 Indian cities are currently building rapid transit metro systems.
- Restrictions will be placed on burning stubble in the fields- a rapid cause of air pollution in rural areas.
- In Bihar the chimneys of brick-kilns gave been retro fitted to reduce smoke emissions.
- Subsidies for petrol and diesel will be scrapped- 1/3 of all electricity is produced by noxious generators
powered by petrol and diesel fuel.
GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
- Policies devised at the global scale will have benefits for human health at national level by
cutting CO2 and other GHG emissions.
- The EU has been active in combatting air pollution.
- Member states of the EU have contributed 1.8 billion euros to support air quality measures.
- In 2019 the European commission proposed to invest 1 billion euros in 39 clean transport projects to
upgrade Europe’s rail network and develop alternative fuels infrastructure and pave the way for 0
emission water transport.
- The EU also has the world’s largest carbon cap and trade scheme.
