Delhi Residents On Track To 11.9 Years Of Life To Pollution: Study

Delhi has emerged as the most polluted city in the world and its residents are on track to lose 11.9 years of their lives from the pollution, according to a study. 

These are the findings of the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. The study converts air pollution concentrations into their impact on life expectancy and the purpose is to enable public and policymakers to determine the benefits of air pollution policies in enabling longer lives.

The study has found that the entirety of India's 130-40 crore population lives with annual average particulate pollution level exceeding the 5 µg/m3 limit set by World Health Organization (WHO).

The PTI also reported that the study also found that 67.4 per cent of India's population lives in areas that exceed the country's own national air quality standard of 40 µg/m3.

The study said fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens an average Indian's life expectancy by 5.3 years, relative to what it would be if the 5 µg/m3 pollution limit set by (WHO) was met, reported PTI, adding that the study further said that Delhi is the most polluted city in the world with its 18 million residents on track to lose 11.9 years of life expectancy on average relative to the WHO limit and 8.5 years relative to the national guideline if the current pollution levels persist.

"Even in the least polluted district in the region — Pathankot in Punjab — particulate pollution is more than seven times the WHO limit, taking 3.1 years off life expectancy if current levels persist," said the study.

Though particulate pollution in the northern plains is exacerbated by geologic and meteorological factors, the AQLI's dust and sea salt-removed PM 2.5 data imply that human activity plays a key role in generating severe particulate pollution, according to the study.

That is likely because the region's population density is nearly three times the rest of the country, PTI quoted the study as saying, adding that it means more pollution from vehicular, residential and agricultural sources.

"Three-quarters of air pollution's impact on global life expectancy occurs in just six countries -- Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria and Indonesia -- where people lose one to more than six years of their lives because of the air they breathe," said Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and creator of AQLI.