Indians May Live 4 Years Longer If WHO Air Quality Standards Are Achieved

A group of researchers have proposed some new measures and regulations that would help in overcoming the problem of pollution. The measures include putting monetary charges on excess emissions. The study also said that if the desired air quality is achieved, Indians may be able to live for 4 years longer. Not only is the air pollution causing a burden of staggering $500 billion per year for India, it is also making people lead much sicker and shorter lives. The standards defined by WHO are as follows:

• Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) should be 10 ㎍/m3 annual mean and 25 ㎍/m3 24-hour mean
• Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10) should be 20 ㎍/m3 annual mean and 50 ㎍/m3 24-hour mean

A new report titled 'A Roadmap Towards Cleaning India's Air' puts down five key evidence-based policy recommendations that will help improve our country's air quality. Researchers from both University of Chicago and Harvard Kennedy School are working towards it, the Energy Policy Institute at University of Chicago said in a statement.

The economic costs of pollution like healthcare expenditures and workforce productivity are quite high. The study also pointed out that more than 660 million Indians lives in areas where pollution surpasses the safety standards.

The report recommended several measures like providing public with information, imposing monetary charges on excess emission, spreading awareness etc. to combat the issue.

By: Neha Maheshwari

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