The air quality in the national capital has constantly been a cause of concern for the residents as well as the government.?
A report last year said that toxic air of Delhi is taking away more than 10 years from the life of an average resident who is exposed to it for a sustained period of time. While Delhi is still grappling with poor air quality posing health risks on residents.?
A new study says that life expectancy of Delhi residents will increase by three years, if the air quality improves by 20 to 30 per cent in the next five years.
Also Read: One In Every Eight Deaths Due To Air Pollution In India In 2017, Finds Study
Keeping 2017 as the base year, Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan has launched "National Clean Air Programme" to improve air quality by 20 to 30 per cent in the next five years.
The NCAP has proposed to improve air quality with multiple-strategy approach to combat air pollution in the 102 most polluted cities in the country.
AFP
The 102 cities identified by the NCAP have higher pollution levels than the national average and stand to gain more if they follow the pollution reduction action plans.
Among the 102 cities, a 25 per cent pollution reduction would translate to a 2-3 year gain in life expectancy for the residents of 13 cities in Uttar Pradesh, two in Bihar, and Delhi, the report said.
Also Read: Industries Shut, Construction Work Banned For Three Days To Combat Deadly Air Pollution In Delhi
In another alarming study, one in eight deaths in India were attributable to air pollution in 2017, making it a leading risk factor in India.
BCCL
The report by published by the Indian Council of Medical Research said, ¡°6.7 lakh deaths were a result of outdoor particulate matter air pollution and 4.8 lakh deaths due to household air pollution.¡±
Air pollution is now responsible for more health & disease burden in Indian than tobacco use and certainly calls for more awareness and measures to tackle it on priority basis.