‘State of Global Air/ 2024’ Report released | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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‘State of Global Air/ 2024’ Report released

Posted 20 Jun 2024

2 min read

Report, published by Health Effects Institute, a US-based research organization, in partnership with UNICEF, presents information on exposures to and health impacts of exposure to common air pollutants including fine particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, from 1990–2021.

Key highlights of the report

  • Globally, air pollution accounted for the 2nd largest risk factor of death (8.1 million deaths) in 2021, after High blood pressure.
  • 99% of the world’s population lives in places with unhealthy levels of PM2.5 pollution
    • PM2.5 refers to airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers (μm) in diameter.
  • Populations from low- and middle- income countries are exposed to 1.3—4 times higher levels of ambient PM2.5.
  • Air pollution also worsened the COVID-19 outcomes by compromising immune systems, causing inflammation and oxidative stress in lungs, etc.

Health risks of Air pollution in India

  • India and China together accounted for 54% of the total global disease burden linked to air pollution.
  • Nearly 50% of all ozone-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) deaths were in India in 2021. 

Initiatives to Combat Air Pollution in India

  • National Clean Air Programme: To Improve air quality in 131 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities) in 24 States
  • Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards since April 01, 2018 in NCT of Delhi and from April 01, 2020 for the rest of the country.
  • National Air Quality Index: For dissemination of information to public about daily air quality.
  • Tags :
  • UNICEF
  • Air Pollution
  • State of Global Air
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