New Research Highlights Dire Impact of Air Pollution on Public Health
A recently published study conducted by researchers from the University of Birmingham and University College London (UCL) has uncovered a distressing trend: an increasing number of premature deaths in major Indian cities due to exceptionally high levels of air pollution. The study, featured in ‘Science Advances,’ provides crucial insights into the gravity of the situation.
Sub Headline 2: Rapidly Emerging Air Pollution Takes a Deadly Toll
The study’s findings reveal that over the past 14 years, more than 180,000 avoidable deaths in fast-growing tropical cities were directly attributed to the rapid escalation of emerging air pollution. Shockingly, the most significant surge in premature deaths occurred in South Asian cities, with Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Indian cities including Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Hyderabad being the most affected. The total toll reached a staggering 100,000 lives lost due to air pollution-related health issues.
Emerging Sources of Pollution Trigger Public Health Crisis
Researchers point to a critical shift in the primary sources of air pollution in these cities. Previously, open burning of biomass and agricultural waste had been the main contributors. However, the study identifies emerging industries and residential activities such as road traffic, waste burning, and the widespread use of charcoal and fuelwood as the leading causes of deteriorating air quality. This transformation has propelled some cities to experience a level of air quality degradation in a single year that other cities might encounter in a decade.
