Question : Deaths due to Air Pollution

(a) whether it has been reported in the media that nearly 80 persons die every day in capital, Delhi due to air pollution and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(b) the details of deaths due to air pollution reported in big cities across the country and the economic loss due to the said pollution;
(c)whether the Central Pollution Control Board in consultation with State Pollution Control Boards propose to take any drastic steps to keep the cities pollution free and to prevent such deaths;
(d) if so, the details in this regard;
(e) whether the organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has brought out a report on health and Climatic Changes recently; and
(f) if so, the findings in respect of India and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)&(b) No, Sir. Although some international studies have been recently reported in the media giving estimated number of premature deaths attributed to air pollution. No specific figure pertaining to Delhi is mentioned in the study. However, some news papers have given unsubstantiated figure regarding Delhi. The air quality problem is prevailing in many cities across the World. Some world’s cities are non-compliant in respect of particulate matter while other cities are non-compliant for benzene, nitrogen oxides, ozone etc.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to assess the long term impact of air pollution on human health had sponsored following two epidemiological studies in Delhi conducted by Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata during 2002-2005 and 2003-2005.

1. Epidemiological Study on Effect of Air Pollution on Human Health (adults) in Delhi’ carried out during 2002–2005
2. ‘Study on Ambient Air Quality, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi’ carried out during 2003–2005

The above studies indicate several pulmonary and systemic changes, altered immunity and damage to chromosomes and DNA and other health impairments associated with cumulative exposure to high level of particulate pollution that increases the risk of various diseases including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, results are indicative rather than conclusive because health effects of air pollution are synergistic and additive which includes vide range of variations and depend on various factors like food habit, socio-economic status, medical history, immunity of the individual and heredity etc.

(c) & (d) To minimize the impact of air pollution, Government has inter-alia taken the following actions:

• Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009, envisaging 12 pollutants;
• Formulation of regulations/statutes to address the rising levels of air pollution in the country;
• Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
• Execution of source apportionment studies in select cities and formulation of action plans for air quality in cities;
• Introduction of cleaner/alternate fuel like CNG, LPG etc. and promotion of public transport network including Metro;
• Creation of infrastructure for industrial pollution control incorporating cleaner production processes, setting up of common pollution control facilities;

The Government after realizing the gravity of pollution, following more concrete measures have been taken:

• Implementation of Bharat Stage IV norms in the 63 selected cities and Bharat Stage III norms in rest of the country;
• National Air Quality Index was launched by the Prime Minister in April, 2015 starting with 10 cities;
• Clean India Mission (swatch Bharat Abhiyan) has been launched;
• Banning of burning of leaves/ biomass
• Relevant draft rules, including those pertaining to construction and demolition waste, have been notified;
• Draft Rules for handling and management of municipal waste; have been notified
• Regular co-ordination meetings are being held at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the National Capital Region (NCR) 6th April, 13th April and on 24th July, 2015 to control air pollution in NCR adopting air-shed approach;
• Short-term plan has been reviewed and long-term plans have been formulated by states to mitigate pollution in NCR;
• Construction of Eastern and Western Expressways is given high priority for completion
• Stringent industrial standards for have been formulated and notified for public/ stakeholders comments;
• Government is giving high priority for public partnership in lane discipline, car pooling, vehicle maintenance, pollution under control certification, idling of vehicles etc.
• Out of 2800 major industries, 920 industries have installed on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices; others are in process of installing.

(e) & (f) The Government is not aware of any such report.

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