Air pollution claims 2.1m lives in India, besides 8.1m globally

A report on the State of Global Air Pollution revealed that air pollution claimed 2.1 million lives in India alone, contributing to a total of 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021.

According to the Kashmir Media Service, China and India accounted for over half of the global burden, with 2.3 and 2.1 million deaths, respectively, as stated in the Global Air Report.

The report emphasized that air pollution is a major global health threat, ranking second only to high blood pressure in terms of fatalities. Shockingly, it surpasses tobacco consumption as a leading cause of death and disability, with 700,000 deaths attributed to children under five years old.

India, along with China, bears a significant portion of this burden, with high levels of particulate matter and ozone exposure. Short-term exposure to ozone exacerbates respiratory symptoms, while long-term exposure is linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Globally, 489,000 deaths in 2021 were attributed to ozone exposure, with nearly half occurring in India. Furthermore, India reported the highest number of pollution-related deaths in children under five, with at least 169,400 deaths linked to air pollution.

Despite a slight decrease during the pandemic, India has witnessed a steady rise in air pollution-related deaths. This presents a substantial public health challenge, ranking as the second leading risk factor for premature mortality, surpassing tobacco consumption.

Notably, air pollution affects children disproportionately, with India recording the highest number of deaths among children under five in 2021. The report underscores the urgent need to improve air quality and address health disparities.