In 2023, air pollution claimed 2 million lives in India

Breaking down the impact of India’s air pollution

Air pollution accounts for nearly 70 per cent of deaths from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), about 33 per cent of lung cancer deaths, 25 per cent of cardiovascular (CVD) deaths and 20 per cent of diabetes-related fatalities in India.

The invisible menace of PM2.5 — fine particulate matter measured in micrograms per cubic metre — is also linked to brain damage and accelerated cognitive decline. Globally, around 626,000 dementia-related deaths in 2023 were tied to air pollution, showing the far-reaching impact of toxic air.

Ramesh sounded the alarm about India’s current air quality standards as well, noting that PM2.5 levels in the country are eight times higher than the WHO annual guideline and four times higher than the 24-hour guideline. Despite the launch of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2017, pollution levels continue to rise, with every Indian now residing in areas exceeding WHO-recommended PM2.5 levels.

“The situation is not just a health crisis, it’s a national security threat,” Ramesh said. “It endangers our healthcare system, our workforce and the future of our society. We urgently need to revise the NCAP and update the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, last overhauled in 2009, to confront this growing catastrophe.”

As the nation chokes under toxic skies, experts warn that without swift and decisive action, India risks losing an entire generation to pollution-related illness and cognitive decline — a price far too steep for the air we breathe.