In the News
November 23, 2020
As always, India’s capital New Delhi faces tremendous air pollution during the winter season every year. Among other issues, this is one of the causes of respiratory-related problems, especially in the elderly. According to the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago, the average age of an individual in India is decreasing by 5.2 years (as per WHO standards) and 2.3 years according to national standards because of air pollution. In this report, it was said that if air quality continues to be this bad in Delhi, then Delhi residents will lose on an average of 9.4 years. It is a well-known truth that prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 causes many lung and heart-related ailments.
Many types of research have confirmed that there may be a correlation between pollution and COVID-19. The study says that cases of flu spread more during the time of more pollution. Simultaneously, state governments of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana indulge in politics over this issue. All governments continue to pass the buck to the other states. According to the report from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, 50% of Delhi’s pollution is caused due to stubble burning, especially during the peak season.