Mumbai: Air Pollution Claims Lives of 464 Children in India Every Day
According to the latest report ‘State of Global Air (SoGA) 2024’ released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), an average of 464 children under the age of 5 die in India every day due to air pollution-related causes. In 2021, the total number of deaths in India due to air pollution stood at 2.1 million, making it the second leading cause of death after hypertension, surpassing tobacco and diabetes.
The report further highlights that globally, 8.1 million deaths in 2021 were attributable to air pollution, with India and China accounting for 55% of this burden. Microscopic PM2.5 is identified as the primary culprit for air pollution-related deaths, with other pollutants like household air pollution and ozone contributing to a lesser extent.
HEI’s Pallavi Pant stated, “Air pollution has significantly impacted the burden of non-communicable diseases in India, with a large percentage of heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes, stroke, and COPD deaths linked to air pollution in 2021.”
The report also emphasizes the impact of air pollution on children, particularly those under the age of five, highlighting health issues such as premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, and lung diseases. In 2021, over 7 lakh deaths of children under 5 were linked to air pollution globally, making it the second leading risk factor for death in this age group after malnutrition.
Additionally, the report underscores the alarming prevalence of chronic diseases caused by air pollution, which strain healthcare systems, economies, and societies. It emphasizes the vulnerability of young children to conditions like pneumonia and asthma due to exposure to air pollution.
- 464 children under 5 die in India daily due to air pollution
- 2.1 million deaths in India in 2021 attributed to air pollution
- India and China account for 55% of global air pollution burden
- Microscopic PM2.5 is the primary cause of air pollution-related deaths
- Air pollution linked to heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes, stroke, and COPD deaths
- Over 7 lakh deaths of children under 5 globally linked to air pollution
It is evident from the report that urgent measures need to be taken to address the alarming impact of air pollution on public health, especially on children. Government and private sector initiatives are crucial in combating this growing health crisis and ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for all.
Stay tuned for more updates on environmental issues and public health concerns.
