Delhi’s Air Quality and its Impact

• Delhi’s air quality is deteriorating due to peak pollution levels in winters and unbearable heat waves in summers.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) states that air pollution affects almost every organ in the body.

• The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the concentration of eight pollutants in the air, with PM2.5 being the largest.

• Delhi has only had two days of healthy air per year, and over half a year people are inhaling unfit air.

• The government’s claim that stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and U.P. is responsible for Delhi’s pollution is a half-truth.

• The issue is exacerbated by two warring political parties, one running the Union Territory and the other in the country, avoiding serious action on the problem.

• Shifting from private to public transport is the only realistic solution to air pollution.

• In 2019, an estimated 1.67 million deaths in India were attributable to pollution, with one out of 10 deaths caused by ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution.

• The health impact is disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalized.

• The Modi government’s blame shifting on the AAP government shows a lack of sensitivity to the well-being of the citizens.