Why in news?
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago released its 2025 Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report. The study shows that air pollution is shortening the average Indian’s life expectancy by several years.
Background
The AQLI calculates the life expectancy gain people would experience if particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution met the World Health Organization’s guideline of 5 µg/m³. It compares the effect of air pollution with other public‑health risks.
Key points
- On average, Indians lose about 3.5 years of life due to PM2.5 levels above the WHO guideline. This burden is nearly double that of child and maternal malnutrition.
- The northern region is most affected. Residents of Delhi–National Capital Region face a reduction of over eight years relative to the WHO standard. People in Bihar, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh lose five to six years.
- Even relative to India’s national standard (40 µg/m³), life expectancy losses are significant: Delhi‑NCR residents would gain about 4.7 years if pollution met the national limit.
- Forty‑six per cent of Indians live in areas that exceed the national standard. All Indians live in areas above the WHO guideline, so improvement is needed everywhere.
Implications
- The report underscores the urgency of implementing stricter air quality standards and enforcing them across states.
- Reducing pollution would yield substantial health benefits; meeting the national standard alone could add one and a half years to life expectancy on average.
- Policies promoting clean energy, electric mobility and better monitoring are essential to make air breathable again.