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First: Pollution Inventory and Health Impact
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- Evaluate how different sources contribute within an integrated health protection framework.
- Give priority to sources that cause higher human exposure to harmful pollutants, rather than focusing solely on the volume of emissions.
- Around the world, vehicles are a major contributor to particulate pollution in urban areas.
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Second: Exposure Levels and Health Risks
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- People are exposed to higher health-damaging pollutants than ambient conditions.
- Each breath contains three to four times more pollutants than ambient air concentration.
- Highest exposure to vehicular fumes occurs on roads and within 500 meters.
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Third: Multi-Pollutant Approach for Health Benefits
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- People are exposed to a mixture of pollutants with serious health impacts.
- Benefits increase when pollution sources are regulated for multi-pollutants.
- Delhi’s air contains particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, and toxins.
- Focus on diesel emissions, a class one carcinogen linked to lung cancer.
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Fourth: Disconnect Between Policies and Health Realities
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- Air quality policies are disconnected from reported health realities.
- India is undergoing a rapid health transition with a rising burden of chronic diseases.
- Chronic diseases like cancer, stroke, and lung diseases are strongly influenced by air pollution.
- Policies must align with the health sector’s reported reality for effective solutions.
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