WHO official says India’s air quality deepens health crisis

New Delhi: A senior official from the World Health Organization (WHO) has made it clear that currently, India’s air quality is well below the parameter set by the WHO. Dr Maria Neira, Director of Environment, Climate Change, and Health at WHO, said the deteriorating air quality is a major issue for the entire nation, not just limited to Delhi.  The whole country is sailing in the same boat as far as pollution levels are concerned, she said.

She further added that India has taken several steps to overcome this hazardous issue, but political support and faster action are needed in suppressing the pollution task. Use of biomass on a large scale is one of the major causes of health problems in the country. Wood and cow dung are still being used for cooking. It is expected that almost 40 percent of people still depend on these, leading to different kinds of ailments.

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Dr Neira suggested LPG and clean fuel subsidies will reduce pollution. “These efforts need to grow further so that we stop using biofuels. She appreciated India’s past clean energy effort. WHO wants India to promote renewable energy sources like biogas and ethanol. The change is required; poor families should be stopped from using polluting fuels, she said.

Air pollution is a major source of diseases, such as heart and lung infections, respiratory diseases, and many more. Children and senior citizens are on the receiving end. Such problems are likely to be discussed in the forthcoming UN General Assembly.