'No safe level of air pollution', experts warn as India refuses to link pollution to deaths
Cartagena (Colombia)/New Delhi (PTI): Studies and scientific evidence have proven that there is a direct link between air pollution and adverse health outcomes during peak air pollution days and increased incidents of acute respiratory disease in India, a top Lancet Countdown official has said.
The statement by Executive Director at Lancet Countdown, Marina Belen Romanello, cames as a report by the Indian government stating that there is “no direct correlation between air pollution and mortality” was discussed on the sidelines of a recently concluded World Health Organisation (WHO) conference in Colombia.
The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change is a multidisciplinary collaboration monitoring the evolving health profile of changing climate.
Speaking to PTI, Romanello highlighted the long-term health impacts of air pollution, including lung cancer, an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, and stroke, among others.
“There is very definite evidence on how harmful air pollution is for people’s health at all ages throughout their life course. That is why it is so important that governments acknowledge the science and clean the air, because that will result in a healthier and more productive population,” Romanello said.
In July 2024, India’s Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel told the Rajya Sabha that there is “no conclusive data available in the country to establish a direct correlation of death/disease exclusively due to air pollution.”
Air pollution is one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases, she said in a written reply.
“Air pollution is one of the many factors affecting respiratory ailments and associated diseases. Health is impacted by a number of factors, including food habits, occupational habits, socio-economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc., of individuals, apart from the environment,” the reply read.
Stressing that “there is no safe level of air pollution,” Romanello further stated that “all exposure to air pollution, regardless of the concentration, will enter our lungs and damage our health, blood system, and internal organs.”
“The WHO has made recommendations on safer thresholds of air pollution, and we know that in India, by and large, these are exceeded in most cities and rural areas.
“So, it is having a direct impact on the health of local population and also on the economy and labour productivity. The damage it can do to a country is quite widespread,” Romanello told PTI.
In her reply, Patel had also mentioned that the government of India has taken “several steps to address the air pollution issue” and that the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women and children by providing them with clean LPG.
However, a think tank report published in 2024 revealed 41 per cent of the Indian population still relies on wood, cow dung, or other biomass as cooking fuel.
This practice cumulatively emits around 340 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the environment annually, accounting for approximately 13 per cent of India’s greenhouse gas emissions, it said.
According to the WHO, around 47 million health workers and advocates are calling for cleaner air to curb pollution-related deaths.
Over 50 countries, cities, and organisations pledged new commitments at the WHO’s second conference in the last week of March on air pollution and health in Cartagena to tackle air pollution, protect public health, and help halve its deadly impacts by 2040.
The goal is backed by a petition from 47 million health professionals, patients, and advocates demanding that clean air be made a public health priority, according to the WHO.
Speaking at the plenary session of the recently concluded WHO conference, its Director Dr Maria Neira reiterated that air pollution is a leading risk factor for both mortality and morbidity worldwide.
She said that it disproportionately harms low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and that 90 per cent of air pollution-related deaths occur in these countries.
A previously published WHO report presented by Dr Neira at the session stated that air pollution impacts multiple organs, including the brain, lungs, heart, skin, pancreas, bones, liver, kidneys, blood vessels, and the reproductive system.
Some of the diseases associated with air pollution include lung cancer, pneumonia, decreased lung function or growth, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, poor bone metabolism, liver and digestive tract cancer, high blood pressure, systemic inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and premature birth, among others.
Reacting to the issue being discussed on a global platform, Indian parliamentarian and Deputy Leader of the Indian National Congress in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, said that the Ministry of Health should evolve parameters to record air pollution as a significant contributing factor to death.
“We cannot afford to be in the dark. Air pollution is a silent and dangerous assassin. The Ministry of Health should evolve parameters to record air pollution as a significant contributing factor to death,” Gogoi told PTI in New Delhi.
The Union Health and Environment Ministries’ persistent denial of a direct correlation between air pollution and mortality clearly contradicts their own internal findings, one of the keynote speakers at WHO conference last week and founder of Warrior Moms movement group, Bhavreen Kandhari, said.
She stated that despite substantial evidence from studies such as the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) 2019 report attributing 1.7 million deaths to air pollution, the government’s public stance remains dismissive.
“This contradiction not only weakens scientific research but also jeopardises public health by neglecting necessary policy actions. The government’s inconsistent position mirrors past incidents where environmental health crises were downplayed or ignored, leading to repeated public health failures,” Kandhari told PTI in Cartagena.
“Such parallels highlight a troubling pattern of inaction and denial that continues to compromise the well-being of citizens,” she added.
The WHO, at the recent conference in Colombia, highlighted that air pollution causes nearly seven million deaths annually, urging countries and global leaders to take action for clean air.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
