Air pollution is responsible for 10,000 to 30,000 deaths annually in Delhi as it is the fifth leading cause of death in India, a report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. The report titled Body Burden 2015: State of India’s Health also said that climate change is leading to greater frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
The publication, which comprehensively examines the link between environment and health, said that a number of public health catastrophes arising out of environmental reasons are staring people of India in the face.
CSE said that air pollution is one of the top 10 killers in the world and is the fifth leading cause of death in India.
“It results in about 6,20,000 premature deaths which are caused by stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections and trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, among others,” the statement said, adding that the report highlights the heightened vulnerability of the poor and calls for stringent action.
The report said that climate change is leading to greater frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and simultaneously, India has seen an increase in vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria.
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