AFP

Study: India's Air Worst in World

India has the worst air quality in the world, beating even its neighbor China, according to an annual survey based at Yale and Columbia universities in the United States.

Published: over 1 year ago
Categories: Science, Scientific Research, Climate & Environment
Topics: Environment, Green
Places: China, United States of America, India, Colombia
Tags: car pollution, respiratory disease, population growth, scientific research, columbia university, yale, air quality, air
Transcript: SCRIPT: At a monitoring station in New Delhi, government scientists measure air pollution. Machines work around the clock, sizing up dust particles and calculating levels of toxic gases. Like nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Tests here, show pollution levels are rising. Fueled by India's rapid growth. SOUNDBITE 1: Darmendra Gupta (man), Scientist, Central Board of Pollution Control (English, 16 secs): "The population is increasing day by day, the number of vehicles are increasing so that is why pollution levels for some parameters like nitrogen dioxide are slightly increased, particulate matter is also increased that's an actual problem" A new study by Yale and Columbia universities says India has the unhealthiest air in the world, even worse than heavily polluted China. Because it contains the highest number of the type of microscopic particles that can be easily trapped in people's lungs. That filthy air is down to these. Nearly 1,300 new vehicles are registered daily in the capital alone, clogging up roads across the city. But coal fires, industry and natural dust from India's dry climate are also culprits. All this means cases of respiratory illnesses are swelling. At Delhi's top chest hospital there were 80,000 patients last year, double the number 15 years ago. SOUNBITE 2: Professor SK Chhabra (man) Head of Cardiorespiratory Physiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (English, 14 secs): "If air quality is bad then symptoms tend to be more so there's greater need for medicines and health care, people may have acute attacks and may end up in emergency rooms and hospitals." A decade ago the government tried to tackle pollution. Factories were pushed out of city. Rickshaws and buses forced to use compressed natural gas instead of diesel. Pollution dipped but it's crept back up. Authorities have since opened a metro system. Environmentalists say that's a start as better public transport is essential for the fast-growing city of nearly 17 million people. SOUNDBITE 3: Anumita Roychowdhury (woman) Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment (English, 17 secs): "How can we reduce air pollution levels by taking away the vehicles and vehicle numbers from the city and improve the overall mobility of the city? That will be the most important strategy for us." Whatever the strategy, campaigners say unless urgent action is taken now. A breath of fresh air in India is a long way off. SHOTLIST: NEW DELHI, INDIA. FEBRUARY 7, 2012 (SOURCE: AFPTV-- ACCESS ALL) - Various of Central Pollution Board monitoring station, scientists on roof, pollution measuring machines and interiors of laboratory - SOUNDBITE 1: Darmendra Gupta (man), Scientist, Central Board of Pollution Control (English, 16 secs): "The population is increasing day by day, the number of vehicles are increasing so that is why pollution levels for some parameters like nitrogen dioxide are slightly increased, particulate matter is also increased that's an actual problem" - Indian government buildings, Rajpat - Various Delhi city and slum views - Various traffic - Various sources of pollution, industry, dust NEW DELHI, INDIA. FEBRUARY 8, 2012 (SOURCE: AFPTV--ACCESS ALL) - Various Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, patients doing lung tests - Doctor SK Chhabra examines a patient - SOUNBITE 2: Professor SK Chhabra (man) Head of Cardiorespiratory Physiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (English, 14 secs): "If air quality is bad then symptoms tend to be more so there's greater need for medicines and health care, people may have acute attacks and may end up in emergency rooms and hospitals." NEW DELHI, INDIA. FEBRUARY 7, 2012 (SOURCE: AFPTV--ACCESS ALL) - Various traffic, rickshaws, buses which use - Compressed Natural Gas - Various metro - Various people wait for bus on busy road - SOUNDBITE 3: Anumita Roychowdhury (woman) Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment (English, 17 secs): "How can we reduce air pollution levels by taking away the vehicles and vehicle numbers from the city and improve the overall mobility of the city? That will be the most important strategy for us." Various - street shots, people crossing road, rickshaw disappearing into distance ----------------------------------------- AFP TEXT STORY: India-environment-pollution-air India's air the worst, says study NEW DELHI, Feb 2, 2012 (AFP) - India has the worst air quality in the world, beating even its neighbour China, according to an annual survey based at Yale and Columbia universities in the United States. Of all the countries surveyed in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which measures the effects of polluted air on human health, India ranked the lowest at 132. The study used satellite data to measure air pollution concentrations. The level of fine particulate matter in India is nearly five times the limit where it becomes unsafe for humans, said the study released at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Health experts say particulate matter is one of the main causes of acute lower respiratory infections and even cancer. India scored a meagre 3.73 out of a possible 100 points in the air analysis, lagging way behind Bangladesh, the next-worst performer, which scored 13.66. The region fared poorly with Nepal, Pakistan and China taking up the remaining spots in the bottom five of the rankings. END

Study: India's Air Worst in World | NewsLook

AFP

Study: India's Air Worst in World

Latest related to air quality

More from : Science

More from the web:

Login with your

Facebook Account