Parliament Question: Health crisis in the country due to air pollution

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1237 TO BE ANSWERED ON10.02.2026 HEALTH CRISIS IN THE COUNTRYDUE TO AIR POLLUTION 1237#SHRIGOVINDBHAI LALJIBHAI DHOLAKIA: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:- (a) whether Government isaware that healthexperts anddoctors, based on theirstudies, have stated that airpollution isnow emerging asthe biggest health problem inthe country afterthe COVID-19 pandemic; (b) whether there hasbeena significant increase inthe numberof patientssuffering from lung diseases inthe countryduring the last few years; and (c) whether Government hasreceived any proposal from health experts anddoctors to form a "TaskForcefor LungHealth"? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH& FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV) (a)to(c): Air pollution is one of the aggravating factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases, however, there are no conclusive data available to establish direct correlation of disease exclusively due to air pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socioeconomic status, medical history,immunity andheredityetc.of the individuals. A Technical Expert Group has been constituted under the chairpersonship of Director General of Directorate General of Health Services toprovide specialized expertguidance and recommendations on specific technical issues pertaining to Chronic Respiratory Diseases (Chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease (COPD) & Asthma). Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues which are at Annexure. *****ANNEXURE Government of India hastakenseveral steps toaddress airpollution issues across the country. These include: 1. Implementation of National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) with the objective to create awareness, capacity building, health sector preparedness and response and partnerships related activities on the climate sensitive health issues inthe countrysince 2019; I.NPCCHH, MoHFW has developed the Health Adaptation Plan for diseases due to Air Pollution which illustrates focusing the institutional structural and functional mechanisms at various levels in the state. The States/UTs utilise the guidelines undertaking health related planning and responses on air pollution related matters in the state.The linkfor the Health adaptationplanisasbelow: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1.Health-Adaptation-Plan-for- Disease-Due-to-Air-Pollutios-2021.pdf II.Government has developed State Action Plan on Climate Change & Human Health for all 36 State/UTs. This State specific action plan contains dedicated chapter on Air Pollutionwhich suggests interventions toreduce the impact. III.The Government issues Public Health advisories to State/UTs suggesting ways to reduce the impact of Air Pollution. IV.Nationwide Public Awareness Campaigns are organized in coordination with States annually for World Environment Day (June), International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (September)andNational PollutionControl Day (December). V.DedicatedtrainingmoduleshavebeendevelopedinareaofAirPollutionforProgramme Managers, Medical Officers & Nurses, Nodal Officers Sentinel sites, Frontline workers like ASHA, vulnerable groups like women & Children, occupationally exposed groups like TrafficPolice, Municipal worker VI.IEC materials have been developed targeting Air Pollution related illnesses in both English, Hindi and also regional languages. NPCCHH has also developed customized IEC materials targeting various vulnerable groups such as School Children, Women, Occupationalvulnerable groups like Municipalityworkers, etc. VII.Series of National Level Capacity Building workshops have been conducted annually toprepare Master Trainers (StatelevelTrainers) who cancascade down the training at State/District level in the areas of Air pollution related illnesses and Surveillance. NPCCHH also supported various State Level Trainings to build capacity of District Nodal Officer onthe domainareasof Air pollution VIII.Early warning system/Alerts for Air Pollution as well as Air Quality forecasts are disseminated from Indian Meteorological Department to States and Indian Cities to prepare the Healthsector aswell asCommunityincludingvulnerable population. 2. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & childrenby providingthemwith a cleancookingfuel LiquidPetroleumGas (LPG). 3. Swachh Bharat Mission promotes to clean up streets, roads and infrastructure of India's cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. Swachh Hawa is an integral component of SwachhBharat. 4. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched National CleanAir program in2019asa national levelstrategy toreduce airpollutionlevels across the country. *****