Raipur: While India ranks second among 252 countries in terms of pollution, Chhattisgarh has also been included in the five most polluted states of the country. the other states being Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar.
According to the report of the Air Quality Index, Chhattisgarh comes after Delhi, UP, Bihar, Haryana. At the same time, the air quality in many districts of the state has reached dangerous levels. The condition of Durg and Raipur districts is the worst.
In the state, the AQI of Durg is 63.52, AQI of Raipur is 63.45, AQI of Bemetara is 61.41. Whereas the AQI of Bilaspur is 50.46, AQI of Korba is 41.59.
The report highlights that air pollution has a more severe impact on life expectancy than smoking, heavy drinking, and major health risks like HIV/AIDS and malnutrition. This burden is unevenly distributed, with people in the most polluted areas inhaling air that is six times more polluted than in the cleanest regions, leading to an average reduction of 2.7 years in life expectancy.
Of the 94 countries with PM 2.5 standards, 37 do not meet their own guidelines. Alarmingly, 158 countries have yet to establish any standards. The potential benefits of enforcing air quality standards are substantial. So, if all countries met their air quality goals, the average person could gain an additional 1.2 years of life expectancy.
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