The United States based Health Effect Institute (HEI) in its Annual report “State of Global Air analysis for the year 2020” has found that around 93% of the Indian population lives in areas where the air pollution is seven times the World Health organisation (WHO) standards.
Major highlights of the report
93% of the Indian population is exposed to air containing at least 35µg/m3 concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter of the size of 2.5 microns). According to the WHO standards, the upper annual limit for PM2.5 is 5µg/m3.
Due to high exposure to air pollution,Indians have on an average loose 1.51 years of their life.
The large exposure to PM2.5 has also reduced life expectancy for countries and regions—Egypt (2.11 years), Saudi Arabia (1.91 years), India (1.51 years) China (1.32 years) and Pakistan (1.31 years).
Almost 100% of the world population lives in areas where the PM2.5 levels exceeded WHO recommendations.
India was ranked as the ninth most exposed country to Ozone after Congo, Ethiopia, Germany, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey.
The lowest impacts of pollution on longevity is in Norway, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand.
Concept Clearing
PM or Particulate Matter 2.5 and PM 10
Particulate matter is composed of a mixture of solids and liquids found in the air. It comprises dust, dirt, soot, etc.
PM or particulate matter, in simple words, refers to small particles of dust
Dust particles are graded by measuring their diameter in microns. The most important types of particulate matter are PM2.5 and PM 10 from a public health perspective.
PM 2.5 has a diameter of 2.5 microns and PM 10 has a diameter 10 microns.
It enters into lungs and causes respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis etc.
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The United States based Health Effect Institute (HEI) in its Annual report “State of Global Air analysis for the year 2020” has found that around 93% of the Indian population lives in areas where the air pollution is seven times the World Health organisation (WHO) standards. 
