Delhiites can live longer if pollution reduces | Fusion - WeRIndia

Most of the Indian metro cities are on the world’s topmost polluted cities list.

Especially Delhi, the Nation’s Capital, is well-known for its vehicular and environmental pollution.

Several studies warned living in Delhi leads to early death due to its pollution.

Now, another study revealed that if the particulate pollution in India can reduce by 25 percent in five years, it could increase the life span of Delhiites by nearly three years.

The study was conducted by measuring the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI). It shows the impacts of particulate air pollution on life expectancy. Michael Greenstone of University of Chicago created the index. He, along with his team, revealed the effects of particular pollution on human life expectancy.

As per the study, not only people in Delhi, but people in other places could also live longer if the pollution level subsides.

The decrease in particulate pollution by 25 percent can increase the life span of people in Kanpur by 2.4 years and people in Kolkata for 1.1 years.

The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) in one of the recent studies on particulate pollution which revealed the effects of exposure to air pollution for a long-term on life expectancy.

It combines the index with various factors like hyper-localized, global particulate quantities and particulate pollution in various communities across the world.

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on January 10. The main aim of this programme is to reduce particulate pollution by at least 20 to 30 percent by 2024.

Under this programme, various national initiatives and pollution reduction plans have begun specifically for some polluted cities. Around 102 cities have been chosen for implementing the combination of initiatives along with plans.

These cities are identified to have higher pollution than the national average. At least 1.4 years of life span would be increased if the programmes are implemented.

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