An analysis of a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) suggests that an increase in pollution level was associated with an increase in the number of patients in emergency rooms, the Union Minister of State for Health said in writing on December 16.

"ICMR has also conducted a Delhi-based multi-site study to document the acute effect of an increase in air pollution on respiratory morbidity by analysing patients attending emergency rooms in 5 sites across Delhi. A total of 33,213 patients were enrolled and analysed. Analysis suggests that an increase in pollution levels was associated with an increase in the number of patients in emergency rooms. The effect was more pronounced in children," she said in her reply on steps taken to combat severe health consequences emerging out of air pollution.

She said: "ICMR in collaboration with the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) & Institute of Health Matrix and Evaluation (IHME) had conducted a study titled 'The impact of air pollution on deaths, disease burden and life expectancy across the states of India'."

Talking about steps to address air pollutions issues, MoS Health said the MoHFW has launched National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), with the objective of creating awareness, capacity building, health sector preparedness and response and partnerships related activities on the climate-sensitive health issues in the country since 2019.

Among other measures, a City Specific Clean Air Action Plan has been prepared and rolled out for implementation in 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), with a focus on city-specific short/ medium/ long-term actions to control air pollution, she informed the House.