Air pollution hits Delhiites worst |
Inhaling minute airborne pollutants reduces the life expectancy of Indians by an average of 3.4 years, with Delhiites losing 6.3 years — the highest among all states.The drop in life expectancy, according to a new study led by Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), is a point of concern as “future increase in PM2.5 (particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns that can inhaled into the respiratory system) concentration may worsen the situation”.In addition to Delhi – ranked 11 most polluted cities globally by the World Health Organisation – air pollution is cutting the lives of those living in polluted states of West Bengal and Bihar by 6.1 years and 5.7 years respectively. Based on the new population census 2011, the study found PM2.5 exposure has killed 5.7 lakh Indians every year, and 31,000 people died owing to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by inhaling ground-level ozone (O3).Investigators have put the economic burden of estimated premature mortalities associated with the exposure of the two pollutants in the country at about 640 (350–800) billion USD in 2011 – a factor of 10 higher than the total expenditure on health by public and private expenditure which stood at approximately 60 billion USD.
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