India Air Pollution and Cancer

• Air pollution reduces the average life expectancy of 660 million Indians by more than three years
• 99% of India's 1.2 billion people breathe polluted air above the safe levels set out by the WHO
• The rural poor who rely on biomass fuels such as animal dung for heating and paraffin for cooking and lighting experience indoor air pollution
• PM 2.5 pollution increases the risk of lung cancer by nearly 70% due to the particulates entering the lungs
• The WHO's safe pollution levels are 2.5 pollution levels at 10 micrograms per metre cubed, but India sets their levels at 40
• In New Delhi in the winter months, air pollution often exceeds 600, and in 2018, of the 15 most polluted cities in the world, 12 were in India
• Respiratory systems such as breathlessness and chest discomfort, and asthma are 1.7 times higher in Delhi than in rural areas
• 1 in 5 lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers
• 1 in 68 males and 1 in 201 were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 in India
• The poor experience most of New Delhi's air pollution because of where they live and work
• In 2019, the National Clean Air Programme was set up to increase the number of air quality monitoring stations, but progress has been slow in controlling pollution
• The NCAP has experienced criticism because its targets are not legally binding, and if there no penalties for disregarding the recommendations, air pollution is less likely to be reduced
• 14 Indian cities are currently building rapid-transit metro systems
• In Bihar, the chimneys of brick-kilns have been retro-fitted to reduce smoke emissions
• Restrictions will be placed on the burning of stubble in fields, a major cause of air pollution in rural areas