Rising air pollution

The toll that air pollution is taking on lives in India is alarming. The Health Effects Institute (HEI) report serves as yet another warning to the country to take corrective measures.

Toxic air proved fatal for over 1.2 million in 2017 in the country. India bears the notorious burden of repeatedly having the maximum number of cities on the WHO's list of most polluted places.

What compounds the concern is that concerted efforts to improve the situation have been lax. Over the past few decades, inhaling poor-quality air has been affecting the quality of lives of millions — both rich and poor - as they gasp for a breath of unsullied air.

There is hardly anyone who is free from its resultant morbid problems: allergies, coughs, watery eyes, and chronic heart or lung diseases.

Even those not smoking are at equal risk, with the latest report ranking polluted air as the third highest cause of death among all health risks, above tobacco use.

Neharika J, Kakinada, AP