Delhi ‘World’s Most Polluted City’, Its Residents’ Life-Expectancy Cut By 12 Years Due To Low AQI: Report

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The Air Quality Life Index 2024 report has rated Delhi as the world’s most polluted city and warned that its residents are losing over a decade of their life-expectancy due to the low air quality which plagues the national capital for most part of the year.

As per the report, at current pollution levels, Delhi residents stand to lose at least 8.5 years of their average life span, even by India’s own national standards. (ANI/FILE)

Delhi Pollution: Chronic air pollution in Delhi may reduce the average life expectancy of its residents by as much as 12 years, a recent study has found. As per the Air Quality Life Index 2024 report,which highlights the Delhi’s status as one of the most polluted regions in the northern plains, Delhiites are losing over a decade of their lives due to the low air quality which plagues the national capital for most part of the year.

The report, published by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) warns that, 1.8 crore people living in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi,  one of the most polluted regions in the northern plains, are on track to lose an average of 11.9 years of life expectancy compared to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standards.

As per the report, at current pollution levels, Delhi residents stand to lose at least 8.5 years of their average life span, even by India’s own national standards.

The report has named Delhi, India’s capital and most populous city, as having the dubious distinction of being the most polluted city in the world.

The reports notes that the life expectancy of Delhiites would increase drastically, by at least 8.5 years, if it manages to meet India’s own PM2.5 standards, and by nearly 12 years, if the city gets to the WHO standards level.

The report points out that annual PM2.5 standard in India is set at 40 micrograms per cubic metre, yet more than 40 per cent of the population is exposed to air that exceeds this limit.

PM2.5, a fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and trigger respiratory problems, is a significant health risk and a major contributing factor to pollution levels.

Delhi weather

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature in Delhi on Wednesday settled at 34 degrees Celsius, which is normal for this time of the year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

As per the latest IMD bulletin, the humidity level in the capital city stood at 85 percent at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, even as the local Met department has issued a “yellow” alert for Delhi for Thursday.

A “yellow” alert denotes bad weather and the possibility of worsening conditions that could disrupt daily life, according to the IMD’s colour-coded warnings.

The IMD has predicted a cloudy sky with moderate rain for Thursday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 34 and 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

Between 8:30 am on August 27 and 8.30 am on August 28, Safdarjung, the city’s primary weather station, recorded 9.8 mm rainfall while Lodhi Road recorded 9.3 mm, Ridge 14.5, Ayanagar 7.4 mm and Palam recorded 7.7 mm, the IMD said.

(With PTI inputs)

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