Air pollution remains a major health risk for Delhi residents, responsible for nearly 15% of all deaths in 2023, according to an analysis of the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data.
An analysis based on GBD 2023 data released earlier this month by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimated that exposure to ambient particulate pollution caused around 17,188 deaths in Delhi that year, PTI reported.
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One in seven deaths in the city was attributed to air pollution.
But the central government says there is no conclusive data to make a direct correlation between air pollution and deaths.
The GBD study is one of the most comprehensive research projects in the world, measuring how people die and what causes their disease across all countries, age groups and causes.
After air pollution, the other major risk factors contributing to death in Delhi in 2023 were high systolic blood pressure (14,874 deaths or 12.5%), high fasting plasma glucose or diabetes (10,653 deaths or 9%), high cholesterol (7,267 deaths or 6%) and high body mass index (6,596 deaths or 6,596).
Scientists from the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research (CREA), who analyzed the latest GBD data, said that despite year-to-year fluctuations, deaths caused by particulate pollution remain consistently high and often exceed those associated with hypertension or diabetes.
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“Air pollution is not just an environmental problem; it is a public health crisis that requires science-based action across polluting sectors to achieve real and measurable pollution reductions,” said Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA.
“If Delhi’s air quality does not improve substantially, the health burden of pollution-related diseases, particularly respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, will continue to rise,” he added.
The data shows that air pollution-related deaths rose from 15,786 in 2018 to 17,188 in 2023.
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During the same period, the number of deaths from high blood pressure increased from 13,604 to 14,874, while the number of deaths from fasting high blood pressure increased from 8,938 to 10,653.
CREA said the data from Delhi serves as a reminder that effective air pollution control is one of the most effective public health interventions available, capable of reducing the burden of disease, improving quality of life and extending life expectancy for millions of residents.
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One in seven deaths in the city was attributed to air pollution.
In response to a question from Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh, she told the Rajya Sabha on July 24 this year that air pollution is “one of the many contributing factors that can affect respiratory and related diseases”.
“Health is determined by several variables, including dietary habits, occupational exposure, socioeconomic conditions, medical history, immunity, heredity and environmental factors,” he said.
Key things
- Air pollution accounted for approximately 15% of all deaths in Delhi in 2023.
- The figures show a significant increase in air pollution-related deaths over the past five years.
- Effective air pollution control is essential to public health, potentially reducing the burden of disease and increasing life expectancy.
