Air pollution: Indians breath toxic air eight times more dangerous compared to WHO standard
New Delhi: Every person in India is breathing air that contains eight times more toxic particles than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe air quality standards, according to a study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
The study, cited by Deccan Herald on Friday, warns that exposure to dangerously high levels of poisonous particles in air slashes the average life expectancy of Indians by 3.5 years. In Delhi, one of the most polluted city in the country, the impact is even more alarming: residents are expected to lose 8.2 years of life due to toxic air.
“Air pollution remains a top reason why people are living shorter lives throughout the world.” AQLI director Tanushree Ganguly said in a statement.
The report reveals that all of India’s 1.4 billion people live in areas where PM2.5 levels exceed the WHO’s guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. PM-2.5 is the most dangerous toxic particle that penetrates the lungs and goes to the bloodstream. It is one of the two air quality indicators (along with PM-10) of dust that are monitored, added the report.
While the northern plains remain the most polluted, southern India also falls short of safe air standards. If pollution levels were brought down to WHO-recommended levels, life expectancy could increase by 1.6 years of life to everyone in Karnataka, 2.1 years in Andhra Pradesh, 2.4 years in Telangana, 1.7 years in Tamil Nadu, and 1.3 years in Kerala, as per the Air Quality Life Index created by a global team led by the University of Chicago.
Outside of Delhi and the northern plains, states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra are among the worst affected by particulate pollution. According to the study, if air quality in these states were improved to meet the WHO’s safe standards, the average life expectancy could increase by 3.3 years in Rajasthan, 3.1 years in Madhya Pradesh, and 2.8 years in Maharashtra.
India's own air quality standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre, which is eight times the WHO limit. Yet 46% of the population still lives in areas exceeding even this threshold. Reducing particulate concentrations in these regions even to the Indian standard could add 1.5 years to the life expectancy of people living there.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Flagrant injustice to underprivileged: Mehbooba on govt action against Shopian school
Srinagar (PTI): PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said declaring Dar Ul Uloom Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian an unlawful entity under the UAPA was a "flagrant injustice" to the underprivileged sections of society.
She also alleged that banning such "altruistic institutions" without any solid evidence of anti-national activity "shows a deep seated prejudice and ill intention".
The institution allegedly run by individuals affiliated with a banned organisation has been declared an "unlawful entity" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In a post on X, Mehbooba said, "Every single day the j&k government acts as a mute bystander & a timid enabler of vicious assaults on J&Ks identity & dignity. Declaring Dar Ul Uloom Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom as an unlawful entity under UAPA is a flagrant injustice to the poor underprivileged sections of society".
The former chief minister said the institution served as a "beacon of quality education" for students unable to afford expensive schooling.
"It has produced reputed doctors and professionals who served this nation with dedication. Banning these altruistic institutions without any solid evidence of anti national activity shows a deep seated prejudice & ill intention," she added.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg issued a two-page order based on the dossier presented by Senior Superintendent of Police Shopian pointing towards the alleged illegal activities at Darul Uloom Jamia Sirajul Uloom at Imam Sahib in Shopian district in south Kashmir.
According to the order issued by Garg on April 24, there were "credible inputs and evidence on record, to indicate sustained and covert linkages of the institution with Jamaat-e-Islami, which the Government of India banned in 2019.
