New Delhi, the capital of India, faces an alarming health crisis as toxic air pollution continues to plague the city. A new research paper depicts air pollution in New Delhi as a public health emergency. It is responsible for more deaths than diabetes and hypertension combined. This deeply concerning finding underscores how immediate our action needs to be. We can’t let up, we have to act now for at-risk communities in one of the world’s most polluted cities.
Just a week later on November 25, a freak weather phenomenon of epic proportions descended upon New Delhi. It laid down a dark mat of toxic smog that aggravated an already dire situation. Communities suffering from this unyielding air pollution face a serious health threat, affecting the health of millions of residents. The city fights an environmental threat that presents very tangible, real challenges. We cannot address this problem without first understanding the issue’s breadth and depth, and how it is affecting public health.
New Delhi for many years has ranked as India’s most polluted city, with air quality at times reaching 100 times above safe levels. According to data, none of India’s 749 districts meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for PM2.5, a dangerous particulate matter that can lead to severe health complications. These frightening statistics are symptomatic of a national crisis that goes far beyond New Delhi—impacting communities at home and across the U.S.
The resulting analysis finds that air pollution is the top cause of premature deaths in New Delhi. It emphasizes the immediate need to address this critical concern. Though diabetes and hypertension remain key health crises, the burden of toxic air must be considered. Advocates insist that we must act now to address this crisis. They advocate for stronger emissions limits, increased public education, and more funding for cleaner infrastructure.
With the smog unlikely to lift in the coming days, city residents are advised to stay indoors and limit exposure. Environmental health advocates and experts are now advising people to mask when outside and to use HEPA air purifiers when indoors. These individual fixes are just a small part of the larger solutions required to address big, systemic and dangerous pollution problems.