Lok Sabha Question No. 588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-20
Subject: Deaths due to Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN, C. MAHENDRAN, RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 588

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2018

## Deaths due to Air Pollution

588. SHRI P.C. MOHAN: SHRI C. MAHENDRAN: SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

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

- (a) whether World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that air pollution in India are the main reasons for cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and high cancers and thousand of premature deaths in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  persons  died  due  to  bad  air  or  air  pollution  in  the country during the last three years and for the current year, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the  reasons  for  the  air  pollution  in  major  cities  of  the  country  and  the  steps  taken  to control the menace and improve air quality;
- (d) whether  the  Central  Government  is  having  any  special  package  to  control  the  air pollution for entire Karnataka including Bangalore City and if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether Kanpur city recorded the highest number of premature deaths per year due to chronic  exposure  to  air  pollution  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  corrective measures taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) The World Health Organization (WHO) has published annual compilation of health statistics for its Member States, including India. The title of the publication is 'World Health Statistics  2018:  Monitoring Health for the Sustainable Development Goals' wherein, it has been  reported  that  non-communicable  diseases  (NCDs)  are  the  leading  cause  of  deaths globally and in the South East Asia Region. The majority of deaths that occurred in 2016 due to  NCDs  were  caused  by  the  four  main  NCDs,  namely,  cardiovascular  disease,  cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. The report inter alia also states the key risk factors as, tobacco use, air pollution, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

(b) There are no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of death/disease exclusively due to air pollution.  However, air pollution is one of the triggering factors for respiratory  ailments and associated diseases.   Health effects of air pollution are synergistic  manifestation  of  factors  which  include  food  habits,  occupational  habits,  socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc., of the individuals.

(c) Source  apportionment  studies  conducted  in  six  major  cities  viz.  Delhi,  Mumbai, Chennai,  Bangalore,  Pune  and  Kanpur  to  identify  major  sources  and  their  contribution  to pollution  indicates  road  dust  suspension,  vehicles,  garbage  burning,  construction,  DG  sets, industries, etc. to be the major sources of pollution in these cities.

The  Government  has  taken  several  steps  to  address  air  pollution  which inter  alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending, launching of National Air Quality index; leapfrogging from  BS-IV  to  BS-VI  fuel  standards  by  1st  April,  2020;  notification  of  Construction  and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; promotion of public transport network; streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate; 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; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; notification of Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR, collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles, formulation of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), etc.

(d) The government  has  formulated  National  Clean  Air  Programme  (NCAP)  as  a  long term time bound pan India strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner. The overall objective is comprehensive management for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution besides augmenting and evolving effective ambient air quality monitoring network across the country. The NCAP focuses on collaborative and participatory approach covering all sources of pollution and coordination between relevant Central Ministries, State Governments, local bodies and other stakeholders. Hundred (100) non-attainment cities, including Bangalore, have been selected for formulation and implementation of city specific action plan under NCAP. In addition, the NCAP  has  many  additional peripheral components viz. Technical Assessment Cell, technology support, sharing of international best practices, awareness and capacity building, source apportionment studies, plantation drive, intensive inspection drive etc to support the time bound implementation of NCAP.

(e) There are no conclusive data available in the country, including for Kanpur city, to establish direct correlation of death/disease exclusively due to air pollution.

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