India responsible for 70% of global air pollution deaths, finds Lancet Countdown report
New Delhi: The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2025 study conducted by University College London in collaboration with the World Health Organization says that, India accounts for about 70% of all global air pollution-related deaths, while air pollution kills approximately 2.5 million people worldwide.
According to the report, as a result of anthropogenic air pollution around 1.72 million people die each year in India, which is a 38% increase since 2010, specifically those who are exposed to PM2.5.
The report attributed 44% of India’s air pollution-related deaths, around 752,000, to fossil fuel use. It also noted that coal alone accounts for 394,000 deaths, largely from emissions produced by power plants. Additionally, petrol used in road transport contributes to 269,000 deaths.
PM2.5 exposure due to wildfire-related, results in an average of 10,200 deaths per year, between 2020 and 2024, making it a 28% rise compared to the 2003-2012 period.
The report noted that household pollution continues to be a major concern, particularly in rural India and mentioned that in 2022, it has resulted in an average of 113 deaths per 100,000 people, with rural mortality (125) notably higher than urban (99). The economic cost of premature deaths from outdoor air pollution was estimated at USD 339.4 billion, equivalent to 9.5% of India’s GDP that year.
The report also points to worsening heat exposure. Indians faced 50% more heatwave days in 2024, enduring 366 additional hours of heat stress, which led to an average loss of 419 labour hours per person per year—a 124% increase compared to 1990–99. This loss in productivity has been estimated at USD 194 billion in income loss.
The area experiencing at least one month of extreme drought every year has increased by 138%, from 14.1% in 1951-60 to 2015-24. Rising temperatures and humidity have also accelerated disease transmission. Dengue reproduction rates doubling over seven decades and Vibrio infections increasing by 46% in coastal areas compared to the 1982-2010 baseline.
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Kota C-section deaths: Strict treatment protocols in OTs, ICUs ordered
Kota (PTI): In the wake of the death of four women due to infection after C-section delivery, Rajasthan principal secretary (health) Gayatri Rathore has ordered strict adherence to treatment protocols in emergency operation theatres, ICUs and other critical units in hospitals.
Rathore on Monday night visited the ICU of the Super Speciality Block at New Medical College Hospital here and spoke to the relatives of three postpartum women, Pinki, Dhanni Bai, and Aarti, about their health.
She also spoke to Ragini Meena, who is admitted to the ICU, and said the condition has improved considerably.
Four women, two each at NMCH and JK Lone Hospital, died after developing complications following a caesarean delivery.
Pinki Mahawar, 30, wife of Chandra Prakash, a daily wage labourer, died on Monday of a similar infection after a C-section delivery.
Priya Mahawar, 22, died after developing a kidney infection post-C-section in JK Lone Hospital on the intervening night of May 9 and May 10.
Before her, two other women, Payal and Jyoti Nayak, aged 26 and 19, died on May 5 and May 7, in the New Medical College Hospital.
Meanwhile, Rathore said the patients' treatment is being monitored by senior nephrologist Dr Dhananjay Agrawal, according to a statement.
She was briefed by Dr Vikas Khandelia on the treatment of all postpartum women who got the infection.
According to a statement, she also met Chandrakala and Sushila, who have been shifted to the nephrology ward, and enquired about their health. Their relatives said that both women are now in a much better condition.
Later on Monday, the official chaired a meeting at NMCH, took information from senior doctors and discussed all possible causes behind the deaths due to infection.
She said that treatment protocols and infection-free operation theatres should also be ensured at district hospitals and PHC-CHC levels, and warned of action in case of any negligence.
Rathore said an investigation is underway into every aspect of the case. Action has already been taken against doctors and nursing personnel found prima facie guilty, the statement said.
According to the statement, Rathore said regular sterilisation must be ensured in these emergency units to prevent any possibility of infection. Equipment and machines used during treatment should also be sterilised as per protocol.
Hospital in-charges and unit heads should regularly monitor whether all treatment protocols are being followed properly, it said.
Rathore said hospital superintendents may also use RMRS funds for immediate requirements in ICUs and operation theatres.
The meeting was attended by District Collector Piyush Samaria, City Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam, Food Safety and Drug Control Commissioner Dr T Shubhamangala, Director of Public Health Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma, Principal of Kota Medical College Dr Nilesh Jain, Dr Dhananjay Agrawal, and doctors from Jaipur.
