We Breathe to Live or Let Live Diseases?

New Delhi Suffers From Highest Pollution Levels in India

​Are you breathing clean air? Absolutely not! Only 1 in 10 people breathe safe air according to WHO guidelines. Almost 92% of the world’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO guideline; 56% of cities and towns monitoring pollution locally have levels 3 ½ times or more above WHO guidelines; 87% of death from outdoor air pollution occurs in low- and middle-income countries. Aren’t these statistics devastating? Air pollution not only brings about climatic changes but affects our health in dangerous ways which we would have not even imagined.

Air Pollution in India
In India:

1. Almost 621, 138 people die from air pollution-related disease every year.
2. Air is 6.2 times more polluted than WHO safe levels.
3. About 39914 children die each year due to air pollution-related diseases.
4. Ischaemic heart disease is the primary illness caused due to air pollution.

How do different metropolitan cities fare?

Delhi: Pollution levels are worst here and at an all-time high. They are 12.2 times greater than WHO safe levels (10 µg/m3).
Bengaluru: Pollution levels are 6.3 times greater than WHO safe levels.
Mumbai: Pollution levels are 6.3 times greater than WHO safe levels.
Kolkata: Pollution levels are 6.1 times greater than WHO safe levels.
Chennai: Pollution levels are 4.4 times greater than WHO safe levels.

Health Impact
Most sources of air pollution emit abundant quantities of CO2 that contributes to a vivacious cycle that threatens our health and climate. Minute, invisible pollution particles enter deep into our lungs, bloodstream and bodies. Such pollutants are to be blamed for almost one-third of deaths from stroke, chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancer alongside one-quarter of deaths from heart attack. Ground-level ozone which is a result of different pollutants in sunlight increases the risk of asthma and chronic respiratory illnesses.

Air pollution is the leading cause of many common killers- 36% of lung cancer deaths, 35% of COPD (pulmonary disease deaths), 34% of stroke deaths and 27% of heart disease deaths.

Global warming elevates the intensity of storm, drought, heat waves and enables the rapid spread of vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, other insects and pests. Ozone affects crop growth and food productivity leading to food insecurity and undernutrition.

How Can We Reduce Air Pollution As a Nation?

• Transport: Luxury means of transports create obese individuals, generate more pollution and foster unhealthy lifestyles. Cities should plan pedestrian- and cycle-friendly pathways with individualized paths for walking, biking and mass transit to make commuting easier, safe, cheap and healthier. Raising emission standards for old vehicles and retrofitting particle filters onto old diesel vehicles help to reduce the emission of black carbon.
•  Waste Management: Municipal waste is expected to double by 2025 and 90% of this waste is disposed untreated or partially treated in developing countries. Improving wastewater treatment can reduce the risk of infectious diseases to a great extent.
• Household pollution: In India, still families cook with sooty cookstoves using wool, kerosene and coal which lead to 60% premature deaths among children and women who are preys to the smoke emitted from these cookstoves. Biomass stoves or low-emission fuels stoves help to improve air quality and avoid burns and other injuries.
• Agriculture: Agricultural revolution in the past 50 years have increase food supplies as well as methane emission. Livestock production has increased and this brings about climate changes due to methane emission and abundant water, feed and energy requirements of animals. It is high time that people start switching over to plant-based foods which offer numerous food choices. This helps to lower methane emission, distribute food to more people and lower healthcare costs. Veganism is gaining popularity for the perks that come along with it. Read more on vegan foods and veganism at www.firsteatright.com. Also, separating and composting biodegradable food waste serves a dual purpose- decreases methane emission and can be used as a fertilizer for local agriculture.
  
  

What Steps Do We Take As An Individual to Reduce Air Pollution?
Manage waste: Keep emission from waste as minimal as possible. Recycle non-organic trash, compost food items, reuse grocery bags and avoid burning trash to avoid polluting the air.
Plan outdoor activities: Involve yourself in outdoor activities when pollution is at its lowest, maybe early mornings or late evenings.
Protect yourself: Wear a face mask that helps to filter out fine particulate matter, if advised by authentic sources.
Travel mindfully: Walk, cycle or use public transportation to the extent possible. If needed, buy no or low emission vehicles to avoid black carbon that has carcinogenic characteristic which can damage our health and the climate too.
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WHO has set its target as 2030 to substantially reduce the number of illnesses and deaths caused due to air pollution. WHO feels that there is no short-cut action to curb air pollution. Solution exists with sustainable transport in cities, solid waste management, access to clean household fuels and cookstoves, renewable energies and reduction in industrial pollution.