More Than 17 Lakh Deaths in India Linked to Air Pollution in 2022: Lancet Report

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UPDATED :
Kolkata, India | Oct 30, 2025, 01:43 IST
3 Min read
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New Delhi, Thursday 30 October 2025 — A series of studies published in The Lancet Planetary Health and other leading journals have found that India continues to face one of the world’s most severe public health and economic crises linked to air pollution. Recent research has estimated that millions of deaths each year and a measurable percentage of India’s GDP are lost due to the health and economic effects of toxic air.

Byrnihat Named World’s Most Polluted City

India remains home to the world’s most polluted city — Byrnihat in Meghalaya, which recorded a fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration of 128.2 µg/m³, more than 25 times the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit. The concentration underscores the persistent air quality crisis in Indian urban regions.

Government-Backed Study Links 17 Lakh Deaths to Air Pollution

A 2020 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health and supported by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) found that 17.18 lakh deaths, or 18% of total deaths in 2019, were attributable to air pollution across India.
The study also calculated an economic loss equivalent to 1.4% of the national GDP, translating to Rs. 2,60,000 crore (USD 36.8 billion) in that year.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr. V.K. Paul described the research as “the latest evidence on air pollution in India, translating health loss to economic impact,” according to The Hindu.
The findings were later referenced in the ‘Health Advisory on Air Pollution’ released in October 2023 by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Union Health Ministry.

2024 Studies Reinforce Health Impact

A 2024 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health assessed air pollution-related mortality in ten major Indian cities — Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi. It estimated that around 33,000 deaths annually could be attributed to PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO’s guideline threshold.

Another 2024 study in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that 1.5 million deaths occur each year in India due to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), when concentrations surpass the WHO limit of 5 µg/m³.

Government Response and Rebuttal

When contacted for response, a senior Union Environment Ministry official referred to a recent government post that countered social media claims of approximately two million deaths linked to air pollution in 2022, according to The Telegraph.

The ministry’s communication emphasized the need for careful interpretation of global mortality models and defended ongoing government initiatives aimed at improving air quality through national clean air programmes and emission control policies.

Economic and Policy Implications

The cumulative findings across these studies demonstrate that air pollution continues to impose a substantial economic burden on India, reducing productivity and increasing healthcare expenditure. The correlation between air quality and economic loss — estimated at 1.4% of GDP — signals a growing challenge for policymakers balancing industrial growth with environmental sustainability.

Public health experts have urged that the latest findings be integrated into long-term national policy frameworks. They argue that addressing air pollution will not only save lives but also contribute to sustainable economic growth and improve living standards in Indian cities.

Outlook

As the 2025 winter season approaches, air quality levels across northern India are once again deteriorating. Analysts believe that unless stricter emission controls, cleaner transport initiatives, and regional cooperation are implemented, India may continue to experience recurring pollution peaks and mounting health costs.

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