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Air pollution on the agenda in India Published Online March 10, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S2213-2600(15)00088-0 For the study of air pollution in Delhi see http://www.cseindia. org/content/delhi-loses-airpollution-control-race-beijing For more on WHO’s assessment of pollution see http://www. economist.com/news/ asia/21642224-air-indiansbreathe-dangerously-toxicbreathe-uneasy For the study of respiratory problems in Delhi see http:// www.cseindia.org/content/ centre-science-andenvironment-releases-stunningdata-daily-dose-polluted-airpeople-breathe For more on the Global Burden of Disease study see http:// www.cseindia.org/content/airpollution-now-fifth-largestkiller-india-says-newly-releasedfindings-global-burden-dise For the report on PM2·5 and nitrogen oxides see http://www. teriin.org/files/Air-PollutionReport-Release-pr.pdf For The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Commission see Lancet Respir Med 2014; 2: 823–60
Simon Fraser/Science Photo Library
For more on the contribution of fireworks to pollution see http://recent-science.com/index. php/rrst/article/ viewFile/18959/9532
272
During his official visit to India in January, 2015, US President Barack Obama urged the country to take more action to tackle air pollution. Leaders from both the USA and India agreed to promote cleaner fuels, which can help curb air pollution and contribute to the fight against climate change. In January, 2014, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based non-government organisation, released study findings that ranked the Indian capital Delhi— on the basis of air quality data—as the world’s most polluted city, ahead of the Chinese capital Beijing. Particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) in Delhi increased by 47% between 2000 and 2011, according to the study results—leading to a concentration nearly double that of Beijing. Another assessment, done by WHO in 2014, suggested that 13 of 20 Indian cities are substantially polluted, in terms of the high quantities of particulate matter with a diameter less than 2·5 μm (PM2·5) in the air. Experts have had mixed reactions about whether Obama’s discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the decisions taken will be effective at improving air pollution in India. Jennifer Burney of the University of California, San Diego (CA, USA) commented: “I would not expect anything so quick, but I do hope that the USA and India will work together on this key issue.” Anumita Roychowdhury from the CSE said that Obama’s visit to India
“has helped to put a spotlight on lessons that India can draw from the global experience with air pollution control”. Meanwhile, Arun Attri (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India) argues that air pollution needs to be tackled for the sake of Indian citizens “independent of President Obama’s visit”. In December, 2014, the CSE released findings from another study, which suggested that in Delhi, people with respiratory problems, including asthma, are especially vulnerable to air pollution and that people’s respiratory disorders get worse during winter because of a substantial increase in the particulate matter in the air. According to Sunil K Chhabra (Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, New Delhi, India), air pollution in Delhi and other Indian cities contributes to asthma, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Roychowdhury said: “It is disturbing to see the results of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. This shows even after decades of air quality management, air pollution [in India] has remained one of the largest killers.” She added: “India’s GBD data show that ischaemic heart disease causes half, and stroke causes 26% of the total air pollutionrelated premature deaths. The rest is dominated by respiratory conditions and cancer.” According to a report from November, 2014, PM2·5 and nitrogen oxides from vehicular emissions have been contributing to serious air pollution in Indian cities, increasing the risks of premature deaths and respiratory disorders. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Commission on respiratory risks associated with household air pollution showed that India uses 30% of the solid fuels consumed across the world. “These fuels are smoky, often used in an open fire or simple stove with incomplete combustion, and result in a large
amount of household air pollution when smoke is poorly vented,” said the authors of the Commission, adding that “air pollution is the biggest environmental cause of death worldwide, with household air pollution accounting for about 3·5–4 million deaths every year”. Other factors contributing to substantial air pollution in India include improper combustion of street garbage, poorly planned industrialisation, and indiscriminate use of fireworks during various celebrations. Confronting the problem of air pollution in India will depend on the implementation of good governance and ecological development in the country, with the involvement of academics, researchers, and other experts, argues Rana Pratap Singh of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Lucknow, India). “The public cannot do much on its own as it is a state controlled matter”, he said. However, Singh notes, citizens can contribute by “cutting down pollution from fossil fuel and [fireworks]”. As Roychowdhury points out: “[Indian] cities need pollution emergency measures for smog episodes, and short and medium term measures for more lasting and durable change to meet clean air standards in a time-bound manner.” According to Chhabra, several steps have already been taken to control air pollution, such as the restriction of industry in city limits and the improvement of automobile technology, fuel, and traffic management. “These steps have to be sustained with careful implementation and industry–government coordination, [along with the] required legislative support”, he says. For pollutionassociated respiratory disorders, Chhabra advised Indian people to take their medicines regularly and contact their physicians in case of worsening of symptoms. “In addition, they are advised to avoid exposure to polluted air”, he added.
Sanjeet Bagcchi www.thelancet.com/respiratory Vol 3 April 2015
Air pollution on the agenda in India Published Online March 10, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S2213-2600(15)00088-0 For the study of air pollution in Delhi see http://www.cseindia. org/content/delhi-loses-airpollution-control-race-beijing For more on WHO’s assessment of pollution see http://www. economist.com/news/ asia/21642224-air-indiansbreathe-dangerously-toxicbreathe-uneasy For the study of respiratory problems in Delhi see http:// www.cseindia.org/content/ centre-science-andenvironment-releases-stunningdata-daily-dose-polluted-airpeople-breathe For more on the Global Burden of Disease study see http:// www.cseindia.org/content/airpollution-now-fifth-largestkiller-india-says-newly-releasedfindings-global-burden-dise For the report on PM2·5 and nitrogen oxides see http://www. teriin.org/files/Air-PollutionReport-Release-pr.pdf For The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Commission see Lancet Respir Med 2014; 2: 823–60
Simon Fraser/Science Photo Library
For more on the contribution of fireworks to pollution see http://recent-science.com/index. php/rrst/article/ viewFile/18959/9532
272
During his official visit to India in January, 2015, US President Barack Obama urged the country to take more action to tackle air pollution. Leaders from both the USA and India agreed to promote cleaner fuels, which can help curb air pollution and contribute to the fight against climate change. In January, 2014, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based non-government organisation, released study findings that ranked the Indian capital Delhi— on the basis of air quality data—as the world’s most polluted city, ahead of the Chinese capital Beijing. Particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) in Delhi increased by 47% between 2000 and 2011, according to the study results—leading to a concentration nearly double that of Beijing. Another assessment, done by WHO in 2014, suggested that 13 of 20 Indian cities are substantially polluted, in terms of the high quantities of particulate matter with a diameter less than 2·5 μm (PM2·5) in the air. Experts have had mixed reactions about whether Obama’s discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the decisions taken will be effective at improving air pollution in India. Jennifer Burney of the University of California, San Diego (CA, USA) commented: “I would not expect anything so quick, but I do hope that the USA and India will work together on this key issue.” Anumita Roychowdhury from the CSE said that Obama’s visit to India
“has helped to put a spotlight on lessons that India can draw from the global experience with air pollution control”. Meanwhile, Arun Attri (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India) argues that air pollution needs to be tackled for the sake of Indian citizens “independent of President Obama’s visit”. In December, 2014, the CSE released findings from another study, which suggested that in Delhi, people with respiratory problems, including asthma, are especially vulnerable to air pollution and that people’s respiratory disorders get worse during winter because of a substantial increase in the particulate matter in the air. According to Sunil K Chhabra (Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, New Delhi, India), air pollution in Delhi and other Indian cities contributes to asthma, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Roychowdhury said: “It is disturbing to see the results of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. This shows even after decades of air quality management, air pollution [in India] has remained one of the largest killers.” She added: “India’s GBD data show that ischaemic heart disease causes half, and stroke causes 26% of the total air pollutionrelated premature deaths. The rest is dominated by respiratory conditions and cancer.” According to a report from November, 2014, PM2·5 and nitrogen oxides from vehicular emissions have been contributing to serious air pollution in Indian cities, increasing the risks of premature deaths and respiratory disorders. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Commission on respiratory risks associated with household air pollution showed that India uses 30% of the solid fuels consumed across the world. “These fuels are smoky, often used in an open fire or simple stove with incomplete combustion, and result in a large
amount of household air pollution when smoke is poorly vented,” said the authors of the Commission, adding that “air pollution is the biggest environmental cause of death worldwide, with household air pollution accounting for about 3·5–4 million deaths every year”. Other factors contributing to substantial air pollution in India include improper combustion of street garbage, poorly planned industrialisation, and indiscriminate use of fireworks during various celebrations. Confronting the problem of air pollution in India will depend on the implementation of good governance and ecological development in the country, with the involvement of academics, researchers, and other experts, argues Rana Pratap Singh of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Lucknow, India). “The public cannot do much on its own as it is a state controlled matter”, he said. However, Singh notes, citizens can contribute by “cutting down pollution from fossil fuel and [fireworks]”. As Roychowdhury points out: “[Indian] cities need pollution emergency measures for smog episodes, and short and medium term measures for more lasting and durable change to meet clean air standards in a time-bound manner.” According to Chhabra, several steps have already been taken to control air pollution, such as the restriction of industry in city limits and the improvement of automobile technology, fuel, and traffic management. “These steps have to be sustained with careful implementation and industry–government coordination, [along with the] required legislative support”, he says. For pollutionassociated respiratory disorders, Chhabra advised Indian people to take their medicines regularly and contact their physicians in case of worsening of symptoms. “In addition, they are advised to avoid exposure to polluted air”, he added.
Sanjeet Bagcchi www.thelancet.com/respiratory Vol 3 April 2015
