India's Air Is Deteriorating Faster Than Ever

India's Air Is Deteriorating Faster Than Ever

India's Air Is Deteriorating Faster Than Ever

In last seven years India’s air quality has deteriorated faster than ever. As per the report released by Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) air quality in India has been much worse in last 7 years when compared to period before 2010. According to the data provided by the IHME the rate of death due to pollution has increased in the period 2011 to 2017. As per the IHME data, in 1990, the number of deaths per 100,000 population is 165. In 2010 the death rate reduced to 135. When compared to Saudi Arabia & Bangladesh India has better air quality. But when compared to China India’s air quality is 50% worse, two times worse than South Africa and 5 times worse than UK.

Particulate matter 2.5(fine particles that are made up of sulfur oxides, nitrogen and carbon) is the 5th major killer in the world. These PM2.5 can be inhaled and get accumulated in the lungs causing heart attacks and several other. This particulate matter results in 3.3 million deaths.

Nearly half of the global population lives in the areas where PM2.5 is above the standard levels as suggested by WHO. Air Pollution in India is mostly caused by human induced factors like smoke, vehicle exhaust, power plants etc. In developed countries the healthy years are lost in 60+ age. But in developing countries the polluted air affects the age group between 15-44.