Lok Sabha Question No. 5746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Impact on Health due to Air Pollution
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5746 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## IMPACTON HEALTH DUE TO AIR POLLUTION

## 5746. SHRI GOVIND MAKTHAPPAKARJOL:

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

- (a) the details of increasing levels of air pollution levels in various parts of the country and their impact on public health, particularly on lung infections and respiratory diseases, State/UT- wise;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the link between rising air pollution levels and increasing hospital admissions and mortality due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the preventive measures taken or being taken by the Government and the public health advisories issued to protect vulnerable groups including children, the elderly and persons with pre-existing respiratory conditions?

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

- (a): Air pollution is one of the factors affecting respiratory ailments and associated diseases. Health is impacted by several factors, including food habits, occupational habits, socio- economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc., of the individuals including children apart from the environment. Details of the air pollution levels in the various cities of India may be seen at https://cpcb.nic.in/AQI\_Bulletin.php.
- (b): Central Pollution Control Board sponsored the following studies on the impact of air pollution:
- I. 'Health impact of firecrackers bursting during Diwali in the National Capital of Delhi' conducted by Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi (MAMC); 2019-2024.
- II. "Does air quality from crop residue burning in close proximity to residential areas adversely affect respiratory health?' conducted in Punjab by TERI, Delhi, 2018- 2019.
- III. 'Impact of Traffic Emissions on Health Amongst Adolescents in Delhi' conducted by International Institute of Health Management Research, (IIHMR), 2019-2021.
- IV. 'Epidemiological Study on Effect of Air Pollution on Human Health (adults) in Delhi', conducted by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata; 2002-2005
- V. 'Health effects of chronic exposure to smoke from biomass fuel burning in rural households: a study in Northern and Eastern India' conducted by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata; 2008- 2012.
- VI. 'Study onAmbient AirQuality, Respiratory Symptomsand LungFunction ofChildren in Delhi', conducted by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata; 2003-2005.

(c): Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues which are placed at Annexure .

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

1. Implementation of National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) with an 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. The details of the programme are as below:

i. Under NPCCHH, the Government of India has developed ' Health Adaptation Plan ' on health issues due to Air Pollution.

ii. It has also developed ' State Action Plan ' on climate change & human health for all 36 State/UTs. 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 (5th June), International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (7th September) and National Pollution Control Day (2nd 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 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), vulnerable groups like women & children, occupationally exposed groups like traffic police, municipal workers etc.

vi. Information Education communication (IEC) material has been developed targeting air pollution related illnesses in both English, Hindi and regional languages. Government of India has also developed customized IEC materials focusing 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 area of air pollution related illnesses and surveillance.

viii. Early warning system/alerts for air pollution as well as air quality forecasts are disseminated from Indian Meteorological Department to States and cities to prepare the health sector as well as community including vulnerable population.

2. 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).

3. Swachh Bharat Mission aims to clean up streets, roads and infrastructure of India ' s cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. Swachh Hava is an integral component of Swachh Bharat.

4. 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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