WHO data on air pollution a "wake up call": Experts

The WHO data on most polluted cities in the world is a "wake up call" and a clear indication that air pollution has become a national public health crisis which demands immediate action, experts and environment activists said today.

The World Health Organisation global air pollution database has revealed that India has 14 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world in terms of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 concentration, with Kanpur topping the charts. It said that nine out of 10 people in the world breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.

Magsaysay awardee environmental lawyer M C Mehta and Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director of Centre for Science and Environment, said the WHO report depicted a very "disappointing" scenario which was nothing less than a national public health crisis.

TERI Director General Ajay Mathur opined that two-wheelers were a major source of pollution in the Indian cities which has got the dubious distinction of being the most polluted. "Structural changes" in the system was the need of the hour, he added.

When contacted, some residents of Kanpur, which has topped the list of most polluted cities, expressed concern over the WHO report and said that industrial activity in the city was a major reason of air and water pollution.

Maintaining that the situation was "nothing less than a national public health crisis",
"There has to be a very strong compliance process in which both the state and Central governments have a role to play. This process has to be expedited as quickly as possible."
"Talking about Varanasi, there are many brick kilns around the city which is also one of the major reasons of the pollution. Also there is need to see what kind of activities are adding up to the pollution. Although we have the strictest two-wheeler pollution norms yet the pollution is high. Not only pollution control norms but structural changes are required."