New Delhi (NVI): An estimated seven million people die worldwide every year due to air pollution, says a report by World Health Organisation (WHO), while also mentioning that one-third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are due to bad air quality. This is an equivalent effect to that of smoking.
WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. To tackle the challenge, the organisation is working with countries to monitor air pollution and improve air quality.
The report comes amid huge concerns over the poor air quality in Delhi-NCR, that has forced people to wear air masks in the national capital. Initially, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana was held responsible for the bad air quality. But, later many other reasons were reported to be behind the envelope of smoke in Delhi-NCR. These included dust from construction sites and vehicle pollution.
From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate, says the WHO report. The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause about seven million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections, the report says.
More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guideline limits, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures, both indoors and outdoors.
The Delhi government also switches to odd-even rule for vehicles when the pollution in the city reaches alarming levels. Delhi hospitals have also reported an increase in cases where patients are suffering from breathing issues and bronchitis due to toxic levels of particulate matter in the air. Elderly people and children are most affected by air pollution.
