Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A recent study by Prof. Manish Kumar Goyal and his team from the Civil Engineering Department at IIT Indore highlights the increasing health risks caused by extreme air pollution in India over the last four decades (1980-2023).
Published in the prestigious Technology in Society journal by Elsevier, the study examines pollution trends from human-made and natural sources, including black carbon, organic carbon, sulphates, dust, and sea sprays. It focuses on how these pollutants affect public health, particularly in Madhya Pradesh.
PM2.5 refers to tiny particles in the air, less than 2.5 micrometres in size, that can enter the lungs and bloodstream and cause respiratory diseases, heart problems, and neurological disorders. These pollutants come from natural sources like dust storms and sea sprays, as well as human activities such as fuel combustion, biomass burning, and industrial emissions. The study provides an in-depth analysis of PM2.5 exposure, especially on days when pollution reaches dangerous levels.
Compared to Delhi/NCR and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh has lower PM2.5 concentrations but still faces serious pollution concerns. The state’s annual PM2.5 levels range between 40-45 µg/m³, lower than Delhi/NCR (65-70 µg/m³) and Uttar Pradesh (60-65 µg/m³).
However, on maximum pollution concentration, PM2.5 levels in Madhya Pradesh rise to 200-250 µg/m³, which is significantly lower than Delhi/NCR (450-500 µg/m³) and Uttar Pradesh (400-450 µg/m³). Heavily polluted areas in Madhya Pradesh have PM2.5 levels of 60-70 µg/m³, whereas Delhi/NCR and Uttar Pradesh exceed 100 µg/m³. The number of days exceeding the safe limit of NAAQS (40 µg/m³) is also lower in Madhya Pradesh (70-80 days per year) compared to Delhi/NCR (140-150 days) and Uttar Pradesh (130-140 days).
Prof. Suhas Joshi, Director, IIT Indore, emphasized, “While Madhya Pradesh has lower pollution levels compared to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the rising trend of PM2.5 concentrations and its severe health impact, especially on women, cannot be overlooked. The findings highlight the urgent need for better air quality management to prevent future health crises, particularly among vulnerable populations.”
Prof. Goyal said “The study compares pollution levels with India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which set an annual PM2.5 limit at 40 µg/m³ and a 24-hour limit at 60 µg/m³. Madhya Pradesh slightly exceeds the annual limit, and during peak pollution days, PM2.5 concentrations rise 4-5 times above the 24-hour limit. On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) has much stricter guidelines, recommending an annual PM2.5 level of just 5 µg/m³ and a 24-hour limit of 15 µg/m³. Madhya Pradesh’s pollution levels exceed WHO’s standards by 8-9 times annually and by 20 times on extreme days, indicating serious air quality concerns despite being lower than Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.”
Over time, pollution in Madhya Pradesh has increased significantly. Between 1980-1990 and 2010-2020, PM2.5 levels rose by 140%, from 10-15 µg/m³ to 30-35 µg/m³. In contrast, Delhi/NCR saw a 200% rise, and Uttar Pradesh experienced an increase of 180%. The number of days exceeding 40 µg/m³ in Madhya Pradesh jumped by 230%, from 15-25 days per year to 70-80 days. However, this rise remains lower than Delhi/NCR, where pollution days increased by 400%.
The study also examined the impact of air pollution on public health, particularly on women, who are more vulnerable due to indoor pollution from solid fuel cooking and a higher risk of respiratory infections. Respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, chronic respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular diseases are prevalent among both men and women. Cases of respiratory infections and tuberculosis range from 40,000-60,000 in men and 35,000-55,000 in women.
Neurological disorders affect 2,000-3,000 men and 1,800-2,800 women, while chronic respiratory diseases impact 20,000-30,000 men and 18,000-28,000 women. Cardiovascular diseases are also common, with 40,000-50,000 cases in men and 35,000-45,000 in women. Despite slightly lower absolute numbers, women bear a significant health burden due to prolonged exposure to both indoor and outdoor pollution.
