Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether a number of diseases are breaking out due to various kind of pollution in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether air pollution is the fifth leading cause of death in India, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to prevent spreading of such diseases?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) & (b): Water and soil pollution is associated with acute diarrheal diseases, typhoid, cholera, gastro-enteritis, worm infestations, hepatitis A&E, leptospirosis etc. Air pollution is one of the several risk factors in the occurrence of such as acute respiratory conditions (childhood pneumonia, worsening of bronchial asthma), chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
(c): According to WHO (2012), Ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are top two causes of death in India. Air pollution is an important risk factor of both these diseases.
(d): Measures taken by the Government to prevent diseases caused by various kinds of pollution include the following:
(i) Provision of safe drinking water
(ii) Measures for safe disposal of human excreta through sanitary latrines
(iii) Treatment of diarrheal diseases, typhoid, worm infestation through public health care system
(iv) Provision of clean sources of energy including LPG, electric and solar energy
(v) Reduction in emissions from vehicles, industries and power plants and other sources of air pollution