Lok Sabha Question No. 857 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Impact  of Pollution on Health
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 857 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.11.2024

## IMPACTOFPOLLUTION ON HEALTH

## 857. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of people who have developed disabilities linked to pollution in recent years in the country, State/UT-wise particularly in Bihar;

(b) whether studies have identified a connection between exposure to PM 2.5 and an increase in cases of lung disease and cancer, especially in Bihar, and if so, whether Bihar has the highest rate of such cases in the country;

(c) whether the State of Bihar is disproportionately affected in terms of health impacts due to climate change, particularly in relation to respiratory and other pollution-related diseases;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to equip hospitals in Bihar and States across the country to diagnose, treat and manage health conditions caused by pollution and climate-related impacts, including any specialized facilities, personnel training, or financial assistance provided for this purpose?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (d): Air pollution is one of the aggravating factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases, however, there are no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of disease exclusively due to air pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity and heredity etc. of the individuals.

(e): MoHFW provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs including the State of Bihar to strengthen the public healthcare system, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. This financial support is also provided for implementation of the National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health for the following activities:

 To increase general awareness among all the relevant stakeholders including people especially vulnerable communities, health-care providers and policy makers regarding impacts of climate change on human health and ways to address them

 Observance of important days on environment and health

-  Training on climate change and health for Programme Officers, Medical Officers, Specialists, Community Health Workers, PRI members, Sentinnel Site Nodal Officers
-  Strengthening the Surveillance System

Government of India has also taken several steps to address air pollution issues which are enclosed at Annexure.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 857 FOR 29.11.2024 REGARDING IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON HEALTH

Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues across the country including the state of Bihar. These include:

- I. Implementation of National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health(NPCCHH) with objective to create awareness, capacity building, health sector preparedness and response and partnerships related activities on the climate sensitive health issues in the country since 2019;
- i. NPCCHH, MoHFW has developed the Health Adaptation Plan for diseases due to Air Pollution.
- ii. NPCCHH, MoHFW had also developed State Action Plan on Climate Change & Human Health for all 36 State/UTs including the state of Bihar. This State specific action plan contains dedicated chapter on Air Pollution which suggests interventions to reduce the impact.
- iii. Ministry of Health & Family welfare issues Public Health advisories to State/UTs suggesting ways to reduce the impact of Air Pollution.
- iv. Nationwide Public Awareness Campaigns are organized in coordination with States annually for World Environment Day (June), International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (September) and National Pollution Control Day (December).
- v. Dedicated training modules have been developed in area of Air Pollution for Programme Managers, Medical Officers & Nurses, Nodal Officers Sentinel sites, Frontline workers like ASHA, vulnerable groups like women & Children, Occupationally exposed groups like Traffic Police, Municipal worker
- vi. IEC materials have been developed targeting Air Pollution related illnesses in both English, Hindi and also regional languages. NPCCHH has also developed customized IEC materials targeting various vulnerable groups such as School Children, Women, Occupational vulnerable groups like Municipality workers, etc.
- vii. Series of National Level Capacity Building workshops have been conducted annually to prepare Master Trainers (State level Trainers) who can cascade down the training at State/District level in the areas of Air pollution related illnesses and Surveillance. NPCCHH also supported various State Level Trainings to build capacity of District Nodal Officer on the domain areas of Air pollution
9. viii.Early warning system/Alerts for Air Pollution as well as Air Quality forecasts are disseminated from Indian Meteorological Department to States and Indian Cities to prepare the Health sector as well as Community including vulnerable population.
- II. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).
- III. Swachh Bharat Mission to clean up streets, roads and infrastructure of India's cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. Swachh Hawa is an integral component of Swachh Bharat.
- IV. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched National Clean Air program in 2019 as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country.
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