Air Pollution Claims 17,000 Lives in Delhi in a Year, More Than Blood Pressure and Diabetes

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a grim reminder of the capital’s deteriorating air quality, a recent report has revealed that over 17,000 people lost their lives in Delhi last year due to air pollution-related diseases. The data highlights that pollution has now become a greater killer than lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.

Experts have warned that the capital’s toxic air is causing a silent health crisis, particularly among children and the elderly. Long-term exposure to pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to heart disease, respiratory infections, and even neurological issues.

Health authorities note that Delhi’s air quality remains “severe” for several months each year, particularly during winter, when crop burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial waste combine to create a deadly smog blanket over the city.

Medical professionals emphasize that air pollution is now one of the leading preventable causes of premature deaths, calling for immediate measures such as stricter emission controls, expansion of green zones, and improved public transportation.

Environmental activists have also urged the government to treat the crisis with the same urgency as any other public health emergency, stressing that “clean air is not a luxury, but a right.”