Highlights: #170 – Santosh Harish on how air pollution is responsible for ~12% of global deaths — and how to get that number down
Nov 14, 2023
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Santosh Harish, an expert on air pollution, discusses its severe impact on global public health and its contribution to approximately 12% of all deaths worldwide. He highlights sources of air pollution, such as vehicular and coal power plant emissions, as well as concerning examples like municipal waste burning and industries without pollution control equipment. The role of the judiciary in air pollution regulation in India is explored, along with the potential for progress through individual researchers and think tanks. The importance of media in creating awareness and driving change is also emphasized.
Air pollution is responsible for approximately 12% of global deaths, making it the single largest environmental and occupational risk factor to public health globally.
Air pollution is not just an urban problem, as rural areas in many countries experience comparable levels of exposure.
Deep dives
Air pollution as a global health risk
Air pollution is the single largest environmental and occupational risk factor to public health globally, causing approximately 6.67 million deaths per year. Particulate matter and ground-level ozone are the main contributors to air pollution, consisting of a variety of substances, some harmless and some toxic. These tiny particles can enter the lungs and circulatory system, leading to various health problems in different organs.
Examples of detrimental air pollution practices
Municipal waste burning and industrial emissions without proper control equipment are two concerning examples of air pollution sources. Municipal waste burning, which occurs frequently in cities, poses health risks to nearby residents and reflects poor waste management practices. Neglecting pollution control equipment in industries and releasing emissions at night to avoid detection demonstrates a disregard for public health and environmental impact.
Misconceptions and policy neglect in air pollution
One prevalent misconception is that air pollution is solely an urban problem, while rural areas in many countries experience comparable exposure levels. Another misconception is that only high pollution levels are harmful, but impacts have been detected even at lower levels previously considered safe. Additionally, a misguided belief exists that people can build immunity to air pollution. Policy neglect, a result of inadequate regulatory frameworks and deferred action, has contributed to the worsening air pollution in India. Insufficient policy responses, lack of scalable solutions, and challenges in cost-benefit analysis have hindered progress.
These aren't necessarily the most important, or even most entertaining parts of the interview — and if you enjoy this, we strongly recommend checking out the full episode: