Govt Denies Direct Link Between Air Pollution and Deaths, But Experts Warn of Grave Health Risks
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The central government has informed the Rajya Sabha that there is no conclusive national data to establish a direct correlation between air pollution and deaths or diseases. However, health experts have sounded the alarm, warning that air pollution is a 'direct and ongoing threat to human life' and can no longer be viewed as a seasonal or environmental issue. According to Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav, air pollution is one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. He listed several steps taken by the government to address air pollution, including the implementation of the National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) and public awareness campaigns on World Environment Day and International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. Despite these efforts, health experts continue to express concern about the impact of air pollution on public health. Dr. Anant Mohan, professor and head of pulmonary medicine and sleep disorders at AIIMS, has warned that air pollution is harming those who are yet to be born and those who are at the end of life. He called the situation 'grave' and urged the city to implement real, long-term solutions to address the issue. In a collective appeal, over 80 Padma Awardee doctors from across the country have issued a national advisory warning that India has been battling dangerous levels of air pollution for more than a decade. The doctors stressed that air pollution can no longer be viewed as a seasonal or environmental issue, but as an immediate and continuous threat to human life, particularly for vulnerable groups. The government's response has been met with skepticism by health experts, who argue that the data on the impact of air pollution on public health is clear. As Dr. Mohan pointed out, air pollution affects the heart, brain, mental health, and every physiological system, and can cut life expectancy and increase mortality. The situation is indeed 'deeply alarming and medically unacceptable', and it remains to be seen whether the government will take concrete steps to address the issue.
