Lok Sabha Question No. 3075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Respiratory Ailments due to Air Pollution
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT, NEELAM SONKER, RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR, OM PRAKASH YADAV, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3075**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST, 2015**

**Respiratory Ailments due to Air Pollution**

**3075. 	SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:**

**SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:**

**SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:**

**SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER:**

**SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV:**

Will the Minister of **HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE** be pleased to state:

(a) whether various respiratory ailments and related casualties, particularly among children due to air pollution are on the rise in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of such cases and related deaths reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study/survey to assess the respiratory health status of people, particularly school children chronically exposed to air pollution, if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to introduce lung function tests for children in the schools and set up separate units for respiratory health in the hospitals across the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the preventive/remedial measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure adequate medical facilities for the patients suffering from diseases caused by air pollution along with the funds allocated and utilised for the purpose during the said period?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a) to (e):	While air pollution is known to be one of the aggravating factors for many respiratory ailments and cardiovascular disease, specific information on the number of cases and deaths due to air pollution is not available.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had sponsored three epidemiological studies to assess the long term impact of air pollution on human health. The studies indicate several pulmonary and systemic changes, altered immunity 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. The results are indicative rather than conclusive. The studies assessed the morbidity aspects and not mortality aspects.

As per a survey conducted by Vallabbhai Patel Chest Institute, Delhi in 2006, which covered 5900 adults belonging to urban, rural and slum population in Delhi , 11.69% were found to be suffering from Rhinits and 11.03% from Asthma.

Health is a State subject and it is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments for providing health care for the patients including for those suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments. The Central Government, however, supplements the efforts of the State Governments. Provisions for health system strengthening are made under the National Health Mission (NHM). Various schemes are also implementing for strengthening the Tertiary Health Care facilities.

Government of India also provides medical facilities for patients through Central Government Hospitals/Institutions in different parts of the country such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, Safdarjung Hospital Delhi, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Delhi, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) Puducherry, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Imphal, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Shillong, National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD) Delhi, among others.