New Delhi, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has given the green light to projects aimed at evaluating the impact of air pollution on human health in 20 cities. As part of the National Environmental Health Profile Study, these projects encompass regulatory measures, intensive monitoring, ground-level implementation, and technical interventions.
The comprehensive study will cover various aspects, including estimating mercury levels for pregnant women and newborns in coastal and south Indian cities, assessing air pollution in Tiruchirappalli, and examining the health effects of traffic emissions and Diwali firecrackers in Delhi.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), initiated in January 2019, initially aimed for a 20-30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations in 131 cities by 2024. This target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2025-26. The ministry notes that around 88 of the 131 cities have witnessed an improvement in air quality in terms of annual PM10 concentrations in the fiscal year 2023.
These initiatives reflect a commitment to addressing the impact of air pollution on public health and form part of the ongoing efforts to enhance environmental well-being.
Stay tuned for updates on environmental initiatives and their outcomes.
