(a) whether the Government has taken note of a recent Lancet countdown report 2017 on health impact of pollution in the country;
(b) if so, the details and the major findings of the report;
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(d) the corrective steps taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b) An article titled ‘Nations within a nation: variations in epidemiological transition across the states of India, 1990-2016 in the Global Burden of Disease Study’ was published in the Lancet journal in December, 2017. The article reported that five leading risk factors for Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in 2016 are child and maternal malnutrition, air pollution, dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, and high fasting plasma glucose. The article also states that though the levels of exposure in India is among the highest in the world, the DALYs due to air pollution decreased by 23•6% in India from 1990 to 2016.
(c) There are no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of death/disease exclusively due to air pollution. However, air pollution is one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socio-economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc., of the individuals.
(d) The Government has taken several steps to address air pollution which inter alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending, launching of National Air Quality index; leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020; notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; promotion of public transport network; streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; notification of Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR, collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles, formulation of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), etc.
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