The state of Air Pollution in India Centre for Science and Environment Polash Mukerjee Centre for Science and Environment New Delhi, January 27, 2015 Source: Wall Street Journal Database

The cost of toxic air quality in our cities Source: Gladstone, Pande et al; 2015

The cost of toxic air quality in our cities More than 18 million healthy life years lost due to air pollution. Air pollution triggers stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer….. Air pollution is the 5th largest killer in India…….

Our water bodies: convenient dumping grounds? Source: (Clockwise, from top): CommonFloor, Coastal Care

Garbage: heaps and heaps of it! Source: (Clockwise, from top right): HelpmyIndia, AsianCorrespondent, Dailymail, Climate Central

Die-sel ! Source: (Clockwise, from top right): CSE Image, Prokerala, Talking India and Dieselsmoke

Industry and the hidden costs of construction Source: (Clockwise, from top): GettyImages. Dailymail

Domestic sources, Road Dust and Small fires Source: (Clockwise, from bottom right): The Hindu, the Hindu and GettyImages

59000 Kilograms of PM 2.5 per day! Source: IIT Kanpur’s Source Apportionment Study

Why vehicles are a special concern?

Vehicular pollution: High exposure Vehicular emissions contribute to significant human exposure. Pollution concentration in our breathe is 3-4 times higher than the ambient air concentration. In densely-populated cities more than 50 – 60% of the population lives or works near roadside where levels are much higher. This is very serious in low income neighborhoods located close to roads. The WHO report of 2005: Epidemiological evidences for the adverse health effects of exposure to transport related air pollution is increasing. Some of the deadliest air toxics, also carcinogens, are related to vehicular emissions. Blamed even for killing foetus. About 60% of health studies in India have focused on exposure to traffic pollution…

What is CSE doing about it? Policy-sided interventions, in the form of capacity building and advocacy driven by real-world data driven experiences Improving accountability by setting goals and deadlines Increasing public awareness, so that everyone can do what we do

What can we do as individuals Take an informed decision about your personal consumption choices – read about the product, its hidden costs and entire production value Avoid using personal vehicles, especially cars, unless absolutely necessary Ask the hard questions – fix accountability for issues Look out for the smallest interventions you can make Talk to people about these issues.