A recent report from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) highlights a startling reality: air pollution is cutting 3.5 years off the average Indian’s life expectancy. The findings emphasize the urgent need for stronger environmental policies and public health interventions.
Key Findings
- In 2023, PM2.5 levels across India remained significantly higher than acceptable norms, nearly 8 times above WHO guidelines, directly contributing to substantial life expectancy loss.
- Even in the cleanest regions, life expectancy could increase by 9.4 months if air quality met global standards.
- National Perspective: More than 46% of Indians reside in areas exceeding the national PM2.5 threshold; meeting the national standard could still add 1.5 years back to average life expectancy.
- Regional Impact: Northern India’s residents—especially in Delhi–NCR—face even graver effects:
- Delhi-NCR inhabitants lose 8.2 years relative to WHO standards.
- Elsewhere in the north, loss ranges between 5 to 6 years (e.g., Bihar 5.6 years, Haryana 5.3 years, Uttar Pradesh 5 years).
How It Compares to Other Risks
The study underscores how pollution inflicts more harm than several other significant public health threats in India:
- Child and maternal malnutrition: Loss of about 1.6 years
- Tobacco use: Around 1.5 years
- Unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing: Approximately 8.4 months
Broader Context & Economic Toll
- Across South Asia, air pollution averages a 3-year reduction in life expectancy, even more in severely affected areas. The New Indian Express
- India’s economic losses tied to pollution-related illness and premature deaths are staggering—estimated at $36.8 billion in 2019.
