Air pollution occurs when harmful substances including particulates and biological molecules are introduced into the Earth's atmosphere. India’s air pollution has become a public health hazard and an economic crisis. There are increasing numbers of people who die prematurely every year with increasing pollution levels.
From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause about seven million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
India has once again topped an annual list of cities with the worst air quality in the world, according to a new report, while Chinese cities have continued to show improvements from the previous year.
Twenty-one of the world's 30 cities with the worst air pollution are in India, according to data compiled by WHO. WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.
Skies over this city of more than 18 million have been blanketed in a dark yellow haze for several days, as air pollution hits record high levels that has forced schools to close and flights to be diverted. Residents complain of burning eyes, persistent headaches and coughing.
A public health emergency was declared in New Delhi, where authorities halted work at construction sites and instituted new traffic controls limiting the number of cars on the road. Schools were closed and most residents who can afford to were staying home, though working-class Delhiites were left with little choice but to venture outside.
The map plotted from the annual average PM10 concentrations across the country suggests that there are no places or cities in northern India complying with WHO and NAAQS standards, and most of the cities are critically polluted
Except for a few places in Southern India which complied with NAAQ standards, the entire country is experiencing a public health crisis due to high air pollution levels. A detailed description of the cities across all states in India is provided in the following sections.
It’s important to be proactive and monitor your indoor air, especially if you’re among those who are living in cities with higher concentrations of particulate pollution. Be aware of any ventilation issues and take steps to protect yourself.
If you’re really serious about making sure your home is pollution-proof, consider using UrbOx Device to keep you safe from all the dangerous pollution.
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