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Air Pollution and Health

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Abstract

One of the main outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) was the agreement by Member States to launch a process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goal 3 " Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages " aims at securing a healthy life for all. Measures to achieve this goal involves substantially reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. This paper discusses the health impacts arising from ambient and household air pollution globally and at the national level (India) and recommends policy measures to reduce the health impact from air pollution in the national context.

Key takeaways
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  1. Air pollution contributed to 7 million deaths globally in 2012, with significant health impacts in India.
  2. Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals targets reducing pollution-related deaths by 2030.
  3. Over 70% of India's population relies on traditional fuels, exacerbating household air pollution.
  4. Ambient air pollution is linked to 670,000 deaths annually in India, highlighting urgent health risks.
  5. Effective air quality management requires better data and community engagement for policy success.
Figures (19)
PIgure L. ATHIUGE PICA CUTILOTILIGUUI UF FIViqg (US/ Tl PMT PORIUIS OF LIS WOU Note: Yellow bar denotes lowest value for the region and blue bar denotes highest value for the region. These are based on data for a particular region and are not average values for a region. The orange line denotes the permissible limit of 20 yg/m? The red dots depict the HDI value Source: Ambient Air Pollution Database, WHO (2014) Figure 1 and Figure 2 give the annual mean concentration of PM,, and PM, in different regions of the world respectively. For both the figures, the data represented belongs to years in the period 2008-2012 since this data is available for different years for the different stations. The highest and the lowest recorded values of PM, and PM,,; for each region are represented in these two figures. The WHO guideline values for particulate matter are 20 ug/m’* for PMio, 10 ug/m? for PM, 5, 40 ug/m? for NO, and 20 g/m? for SO, . The orange line denotes the WHO limits. The red dots plotted over each country’s bar graph in both the figures represent the HDI value for that country as reported in the year 2012.
PIgure L. ATHIUGE PICA CUTILOTILIGUUI UF FIViqg (US/ Tl PMT PORIUIS OF LIS WOU Note: Yellow bar denotes lowest value for the region and blue bar denotes highest value for the region. These are based on data for a particular region and are not average values for a region. The orange line denotes the permissible limit of 20 yg/m? The red dots depict the HDI value Source: Ambient Air Pollution Database, WHO (2014) Figure 1 and Figure 2 give the annual mean concentration of PM,, and PM, in different regions of the world respectively. For both the figures, the data represented belongs to years in the period 2008-2012 since this data is available for different years for the different stations. The highest and the lowest recorded values of PM, and PM,,; for each region are represented in these two figures. The WHO guideline values for particulate matter are 20 ug/m’* for PMio, 10 ug/m? for PM, 5, 40 ug/m? for NO, and 20 g/m? for SO, . The orange line denotes the WHO limits. The red dots plotted over each country’s bar graph in both the figures represent the HDI value for that country as reported in the year 2012.
rigure 2. AnnUWal Mean CONCeHNCTFATION OF FIVI7 5 (\UB/M 3) Ih Fesions OF The WOria Note: Yellow bar denotes lowest value for the region and blue bar denotes highest value for the region.These are based on data for a particular region and are not average values for a region. The orange line denotes the permissible limit of 30 ug/m3. The red dots depict the HDI value Source: Ambient Air Pollution Database, WHO (2014)
rigure 2. AnnUWal Mean CONCeHNCTFATION OF FIVI7 5 (\UB/M 3) Ih Fesions OF The WOria Note: Yellow bar denotes lowest value for the region and blue bar denotes highest value for the region.These are based on data for a particular region and are not average values for a region. The orange line denotes the permissible limit of 30 ug/m3. The red dots depict the HDI value Source: Ambient Air Pollution Database, WHO (2014)
Figure 3: Leading causes of global deaths and premature deaths Source: Global Burden of Disease (2010) In 2012 alone, 7 million deaths in the world were attributable to the combined effects of ambient (3.7 million) and household (4.3 million) air pollution (WHO, 2015). Figure 3 shows the leading causes of deaths and premature deaths in the world (as of 2010). Ischemic heart disease is at the forefront in this ranking of causes, and COPD, lower respiratory infections, lung cancer are also amongst the top five causes of deaths worldwide.
Figure 3: Leading causes of global deaths and premature deaths Source: Global Burden of Disease (2010) In 2012 alone, 7 million deaths in the world were attributable to the combined effects of ambient (3.7 million) and household (4.3 million) air pollution (WHO, 2015). Figure 3 shows the leading causes of deaths and premature deaths in the world (as of 2010). Ischemic heart disease is at the forefront in this ranking of causes, and COPD, lower respiratory infections, lung cancer are also amongst the top five causes of deaths worldwide.
Figure 4: Total global deaths attributable to household and ambient air pollution in 2012 (region-wise) Source: WHO 2014 Figure 4 depicts the total number of deaths in 2012 that are attributable to household air pollution (HAP) and ambient air pollution (AAP) across all the regions of the world. As part of an update on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2010, it was found that essentially five different kinds of respiratory health conditions are the causes behind the number of deaths. About 36% of the deaths are said to be attributable to Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), 33% to stroke, 17% to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 8% to Acute Lower Respiratory Disease (ALRI) and 6% to lung cancer. The update also quantifies the effect on people from different gender and age groups. According to it, 49% of the 7 million in 2012 were men (aged 25 years or above), 42% were women (aged 25 years or above) and 9% were children (under the age of 5 years) (WHO, 2014). Deaths in Western Pacific low and middle income region is the highest in the world, followed by South-East Asia and then by Africa.
Figure 4: Total global deaths attributable to household and ambient air pollution in 2012 (region-wise) Source: WHO 2014 Figure 4 depicts the total number of deaths in 2012 that are attributable to household air pollution (HAP) and ambient air pollution (AAP) across all the regions of the world. As part of an update on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2010, it was found that essentially five different kinds of respiratory health conditions are the causes behind the number of deaths. About 36% of the deaths are said to be attributable to Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), 33% to stroke, 17% to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 8% to Acute Lower Respiratory Disease (ALRI) and 6% to lung cancer. The update also quantifies the effect on people from different gender and age groups. According to it, 49% of the 7 million in 2012 were men (aged 25 years or above), 42% were women (aged 25 years or above) and 9% were children (under the age of 5 years) (WHO, 2014). Deaths in Western Pacific low and middle income region is the highest in the world, followed by South-East Asia and then by Africa.
Table 1: Percentage of total global deaths due to causes that are attributed to air pollution
Table 1: Percentage of total global deaths due to causes that are attributed to air pollution
Global life expectancy for both sexes increased from 65.3 years in 1990 to 71.5 years in 2013, while the number of deaths increased from 47.5 million to 54.9 million over the same interval which means that improving healthcare is pushing the average age-bar of the global population, also leading to the inference that we have less younger population now than we had in earlier years. Respiratory infections Nave a major impact on child health and especially of those less than five years of age, as the ambient and household air pollution begins to affect the child health even before birth and during the prime years of growth. Lower respiratory infection remains as one of the top five causes of death in children under five years (IHME, 2013). Figure 5 illustrates the significant decline in the number of global deaths of children aged 1 month to 4 years in the last decade while numbers of deaths in children fewer than 27 days has barely changed in the time period. Table 2 shows a detailed snapshot of the total global numbers of; years of life lost from mortality (YLL), years of health life lost due to disability (VLD) and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for men (M) and women (F) of all age-groups, for the major communicable and non-communicable diseases that are believed to be attributed to air pollution. From the table, it can be seen that in the year 2000, respiratory infections and lower respiratory infections has the highest YLL value amongst both men and women including all age groups, has the highest YLL value amongst women in 2012 too but Ischaemic heart disease accounts for the highest YLL value for men in 2012.
Global life expectancy for both sexes increased from 65.3 years in 1990 to 71.5 years in 2013, while the number of deaths increased from 47.5 million to 54.9 million over the same interval which means that improving healthcare is pushing the average age-bar of the global population, also leading to the inference that we have less younger population now than we had in earlier years. Respiratory infections Nave a major impact on child health and especially of those less than five years of age, as the ambient and household air pollution begins to affect the child health even before birth and during the prime years of growth. Lower respiratory infection remains as one of the top five causes of death in children under five years (IHME, 2013). Figure 5 illustrates the significant decline in the number of global deaths of children aged 1 month to 4 years in the last decade while numbers of deaths in children fewer than 27 days has barely changed in the time period. Table 2 shows a detailed snapshot of the total global numbers of; years of life lost from mortality (YLL), years of health life lost due to disability (VLD) and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for men (M) and women (F) of all age-groups, for the major communicable and non-communicable diseases that are believed to be attributed to air pollution. From the table, it can be seen that in the year 2000, respiratory infections and lower respiratory infections has the highest YLL value amongst both men and women including all age groups, has the highest YLL value amongst women in 2012 too but Ischaemic heart disease accounts for the highest YLL value for men in 2012.
Table 2: Total number of YLL, YLD and DALY (in millionsfor 2000 and 2012 for men and women of all age groups for the diseases attributable to air pollution
Table 2: Total number of YLL, YLD and DALY (in millionsfor 2000 and 2012 for men and women of all age groups for the diseases attributable to air pollution
Figure 6: Predicted average gain in life expectancy with reduction in average annual levels of PM2.5 10ug/m3 ir 25 European cities Source: \WHO (2013) Figure 6 presents the predicted average gain in life expectancy (in months) for people aged 30 years for a reduction in average annual levels of PM,, down to the WHO Air Quality Guideline annual mean level of 10ug/m? in 25 European cities participating in the Aphekom project that was conducted between in 2008 and 2011 (WHO, 2013). The blue line denotes the air quality guideline limit for PM... The gain in life expectancy has been predicted after calculating the effect of reduced PM,.<levels (down to 10ug/m?) in each of the particular 25 cities. The study concluded that the higher the PM, levels were, the greater gain in life expectancy can be achieved if the existing levels were brought down to 10ug/m3.For instance, gain in life expectancy was found to be zero simply because the PM,.5 levels were under the WHO limits. Similarly, gain in life expectancy was highest in Bucharest after the PM,>5 levels were modeled and brought down to be under WHO limits.
Figure 6: Predicted average gain in life expectancy with reduction in average annual levels of PM2.5 10ug/m3 ir 25 European cities Source: \WHO (2013) Figure 6 presents the predicted average gain in life expectancy (in months) for people aged 30 years for a reduction in average annual levels of PM,, down to the WHO Air Quality Guideline annual mean level of 10ug/m? in 25 European cities participating in the Aphekom project that was conducted between in 2008 and 2011 (WHO, 2013). The blue line denotes the air quality guideline limit for PM... The gain in life expectancy has been predicted after calculating the effect of reduced PM,.<levels (down to 10ug/m?) in each of the particular 25 cities. The study concluded that the higher the PM, levels were, the greater gain in life expectancy can be achieved if the existing levels were brought down to 10ug/m3.For instance, gain in life expectancy was found to be zero simply because the PM,.5 levels were under the WHO limits. Similarly, gain in life expectancy was highest in Bucharest after the PM,>5 levels were modeled and brought down to be under WHO limits.
Figure 7: Total deaths from ambient PM and ozone pollution in India Source: OECD (2014)
Figure 7: Total deaths from ambient PM and ozone pollution in India Source: OECD (2014)
Figure 9: State-wise percentage of medically certified deaths due to diseases of the respiratory systems in 2011 Note: The red line in the graph depict the all India value of 9.71 % Source: CBHI (2013)
Figure 9: State-wise percentage of medically certified deaths due to diseases of the respiratory systems in 2011 Note: The red line in the graph depict the all India value of 9.71 % Source: CBHI (2013)
Figure 10: State-wise total cases of ARI infection deaths due to diseases of the respiratory systems in 2011. Note: The red line in the graph depict the all India value of 4.77 % Source: CBHI 2013
Figure 10: State-wise total cases of ARI infection deaths due to diseases of the respiratory systems in 2011. Note: The red line in the graph depict the all India value of 4.77 % Source: CBHI 2013
Table 3: Indicative estimate of the economic cost of health impacts from ambient air pollution in OECD countries, India and China in 2005 and 2010
Table 3: Indicative estimate of the economic cost of health impacts from ambient air pollution in OECD countries, India and China in 2005 and 2010

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HUMAN HEALTH IMPLICATIONS DUE TO AIR AND WATER POLLUTION: INDIAN CONTEXT
Nazeem Quazi

ABSTRACT Man is part of nature, and not separate or independent; at the same time man is unique in the influence he has over nature. In that process, if he does not take care to protect and cherish nature, but depletes or destroys nature, he will find that his own life and that of his children is in jeopardy. Renowned Swedish naturalist K. Curry – Lindahl says: “The human population is in fact the WORST and basic forms of pollution, all major environmental problem that threaten the future of mankind are caused basically by one factor too many people.” It is man’s sheer number which is the root cause of all pollution problems. And as such the modern ecologists have given to baby-boom a new name ‘population’. Human health is a state of complete physical, mental or social well-being and hot merely absence of disease or infirmity. The global strategy as adopted in 1981 is to achieve “Health for all by 2000 through primary health care.” The task is not easy for a county of India’s size inhabited by one seventh of the total world population. Pollution; country’s environmental problems are affected by the level of its economic development, the availability of natural resources and the life style of its population. In India rapid growth of population, poverty, urbanization, industrialization and several related factors are responsible for the rapid degradation of the environment. Environmental problems have become serious in many part of the country and can no longer be neglected. The main environmental problems in Indian, relate to air and water pollution particularly in the metropolitan and industrial zones, degradation of common property resource which affect the poor adversely due to a degradation of their life support system, threat to biodiversity and inadequate system of solid wastes disposal and sanitation with consequent adverse impact on health, infant mortality and birth rate. A recent two weeks (3rd to 15th Nov. 2016) air polluted Delhi weather condition speaks and represents much more. Key words: Implication, worst, pollution, urbanisation,, strategy.

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