Lok Sabha Question No. 166 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Impact of Air Pollution on Health
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL, RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 166

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2017

## Impact of Air Pollution on Health

- *166.   SHRI C.R. PATIL:

SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of studies by the WHO and the State of Global Air, 2017 by the Health Effects Institute and Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at University  of  Washington  and  University  of  British  Columbia,  indicating  large  scale premature deaths in India due to air pollution;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study on air pollution in the country and its impact on health and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (d) whether the level of air pollution in the country  is  rising  faster  than  that  of  China  and rapid rise in the level of Particulate Matter 2.5 in the air is adversely affecting the health of the people and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of concrete steps/ measures taken by the Government to check air pollution in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 166 due for reply on 14.03.2017 regarding 'Impact of Air Pollution on Health' by SHRI C.R. PATIL and SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO, Hon'ble Members of Lok Sabha

(a)  to  (c)  Government  is  aware  of  the  reports  published  by  the  World  Health  Organization (WHO) and the Health Effects Institute (HEI) regarding the impact of air pollution on human health  in  terms  of  higher  casualty  rate  due  to  air  pollution.  The  reports  are  based  on  models, simulations  and  extrapolations.  The  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  has  carried  out epidemiological studies to assess the impact of pollution on human health. Air Pollution could be one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. However, there are no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation between diseases and air  pollution.  Health  effects  of  air  pollution  are  generally  synergistic  manifestation  of  the individual's food habits, occupational habits, socio-economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc.

(d) The CPCB monitors ambient air quality across the country in association with State Pollution Control  Boards  and  Pollution  Control  Committees  under  National  Air  Quality  Monitoring Programme (NAMP). While the levels of Particulate Matter shows fluctuating trend, the value of SO2 is reported to be generally within the permissible limits. Values of NO2 are also generally within permissible limits except for few cities. Data on air quality for China is not available.

(e)  Steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  check  air  pollution, inter  alia, include  notification  of National  Ambient  Air  Quality  Standards;  formulation  of  environmental  regulations/  statutes; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate  fuels  like  gaseous  fuel  (CNG,  LPG  etc.),  ethanol  blending;  promotion  of  cleaner production processes; launching of National Air Quality Index; comprehensive amendments to various  Waste  Management  Rules  and  notification  of  Construction  and  Demolition  Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste; promotion of public transport and network of metro, e-rickshaws, Pollution Under Control Certificate; regular co-ordination  meetings  at  senior  official  and  ministerial  level  with  Delhi  and  other  State Governments within the NCR; 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 for  controlling  air  pollution;  installation  of  on-line  continuous  (24x7)  monitoring  devices  by major  industries;  and  notification  of  Graded  Response  Action  Plan  for  different  levels  of  air pollution in NCR, etc.

******