Lok Sabha Question No. 1300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-28
Subject: Impact of Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

OIH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1300**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2015

**Impact of Air Pollution**

1300. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

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

(a) whether as per a survey conducted by the National Chitranjan Cancer Research Institute, every third school going child is suffering from some or other kind of lungs infection or weakness on account of air pollution;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether higher level of air pollutants is giving rise to deadly diseases in major cities of the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)to(d) The epidemiological study titled, ‘Study on Ambient Air Quality, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi’, undertaken by CPCB in association with Chitheranjan   National Cancer Institute, Kolkata during 2003–2005 to assess the long term impact of air pollution on children. The results showed lung function reduction in 43.5% school children of Delhi as compared with 25.7% in control group. The lung function reduction was more prevalent in girls than boys both in rural and urban settings.

To assess the long term impact of air pollution on human health Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had sponsored following two epidemiological studies in Delhi conducted by Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata during 2002-2005 and 2003-2005.

1. Epidemiological Study on Effect of Air Pollution on Human Health (adults) in Delhi’ carried out during 2002–2005
2. ‘Study on Ambient Air Quality, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi’ carried out during 2003–2005 and

The above studies indicate several pulmonary and systemic changes, altered immunity and damage to chromosomes and DNA and other health impairments associated with cumulative exposure to high level of particulate pollution that increases the risk of various diseases including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, results are indicative rather than conclusive because health effects of air pollution are synergistic and additive which includes wide range of variations and depend on various factors like food habit, socio-economic status, medical history, immunity of the individual and heredity etc..

To minimize the impact of air pollution from the particulate matter, Government has inter-alia taken the following actions:

- Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009, envisaging 12 pollutants;
- Formulation of regulations/statutes to address the rising levels of air pollution in the country;
- Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
- Execution of source apportionment studies in select cities and formulation of action plans for air quality in cities;
- Introduction of cleaner/alternate fuel like CNG, LPG etc. and promotion of public transport network including Metro;
- Creation of infrastructure for industrial pollution control incorporating cleaner production processes, setting up of common pollution control facilities;

The Government after realizing the gravity of pollution, following more concrete measures have been taken:

- Implementation of Bharat Stage IV norms in the 63 selected cities and Bharat Stage III norms in rest of the country;
- National Air Quality Index was launched by the Prime Minister in April, 2015 starting with 10 cities;
- Clean India Mission (swatch Bharat Abhiyan) has been launched;
- Banning of burning of leaves/ biomass
- Relevant draft rules, including those pertaining to construction and demolition waste, have been notified;
- Draft Rules for handling and management of  municipal waste; have been notified
- Regular co-ordination meetings are being held at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the National Capital Region (NCR) 6 th April, 13 th April and on 24 th July, 2015 to control air pollution in NCR adopting air-shed approach;
- Short-term plan has been reviewed and long-term plans have been formulated by states to mitigate pollution in NCR;
- Construction of Eastern and Western Expressways is given high priority for completion
- Stringent  industrial standards for have been formulated and notified for public/ stakeholders comments;
- Government is giving high priority for public partnership in lane discipline, car pooling, vehicle maintenance, pollution under control certification, idling of vehicles etc.
- Out of 2800 major industries, 920 industries have installed on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices; others are in process of installing.

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