Open AccessPoison in the air: Declining air quality in India
Author(s) -
Mayank Mishra
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
lung india
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.457
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 0974-598X
pISSN - 0970-2113
DOI - 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_17_18
Subject(s) - globe , declaration , air quality index , air pollution , medicine , developing country , new delhi , environmental health , economic growth , environmental protection , development economics , geography , meteorology , political science , economics , pathology , law , chemistry , organic chemistry , metropolitan area , ophthalmology
Air pollution is a burgeoning environmental problem with potential for climate change. The worst-hit areas are the rapidly developing capital cities of low- and middle-income countries across the globe. Delhi, the capital of India, is no exception. In fact, Delhi was the most polluted of more than 1600 cities in the world according to the WHO's 2014 database for outdoor air pollution. The recent declaration of a public health emergency in and around the city speaks volumes about the declining air quality in India. Introspection into the various causes and mechanisms responsible for this sorry state of affairs, its impact on human health, and possible solutions to the problem is being reported.