1. 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

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

3. 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…….

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

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

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

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

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

9. 59000 Kilograms of PM 2.5 per day!
Source: IIT Kanpur’s Source Apportionment Study

10. Why vehicles are a special concern?

11. 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…

12. 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

13. 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.