JUST WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE SAYING, HEALTH MINISTER?
The recent statement made by Dr Harsh Vardhan, that there is no evidence to link
pollution to heart and lung diseases, is either made from ignorance, or from a desire to
hide his government’s incapacity to deal with the air pollution problem, the Centre
for Science and Environment said in a letter to Delhi’s health Minister
In a letter to the Delhi health minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, the Centre for Science and
Environment said his recent statement that air pollution does not cause lung and heart
disease, is irresponsible, misleading, and is an attempt to underplay the ill effects of
pollution in order to lull the citizens of Delhi into a false sense of complacency. Dr
Harsh Vardhan made the statement while releasing a report by the Centre for occupational
and Environment Medicine at the Maulana Azaad Medical College (MAMC) on the health effects
of air pollution.
Though the MAMC report stated that diseases like asthma are aggravated, not caused, by
air pollution, there is ample evidence from studies conducted around the world which prove
beyond doubt that air pollution causes - and not just aggravates - respiratory, heart,
lung, eye and skin diseases. A study carried out by the American Lung Association in 1992
proved that pollution decreased the lung functioning capacity in children. A project
sponsored by the European Commission’s Science and Research Directorate in 1996,
where eleven research groups analysed data in 15 cities in Europe, showed clearly that
increases in suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, or ozone can significantly
increase respiratory deaths and hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses. These
health effects were seen at pollutant levels much lower than those present in most Indian
cities today. There are many more studies from around the world to show a close link
between air pollution and health.
Unfortunately, the health minister has also ignored other evidences on health effects
of air pollution generated earlier by other agencies and research bodies in Delhi . A
study conducted by the World Bank in the 1991-92 period, show that 7500 people died
prematurely due to air pollution in Delhi alone. In a separate study carried out by CSE,
it was found that the number of deaths had gone up to 10,000 in 1995.
Very little epidemiological research has been done in India, due to lack of baseline
data, such as the actual levels of pollutants like small particulates ( the single largest
cause of premature deaths among pollutants), benzene (a carcinogen), ozone, sulphur
dioxide and carbon monoxide. One of the few studies conducted was carried out in 1994 by
Dr S K Chhabra, head of the cardiorespiratory department of Patel Chest Institute in
Delhi. This study found that 2.5 lakh children in Delhi have asthma, since the prevalence
of asthma among school children in Delhi was 16-17 per cent. According to heart surgeon Dr
Naresh Trehan, the rate of respiratory diseases in Delhi is 12 times more than the
national average.
Dr Harsh Vardhan and his ministry have steadfastly ignored attempts by the Centre to
bring these figures to his notice, and take emergency measures. Instead, he has reacted to
a study which seems to underplay the health effects of pollution, and extrapolated it to
say that "there is no evidence to relate pollution to lung, heart and skin
diseases." He has brushed aside the fact that even aggravation is a sufficient cause
for alarm.
This statement will only help Dr Harsh Vardhan hide the inadequacies of his ministry,
and give them further excuse to delay action against air pollution, which is costing the
city 900 crores every year, in terms of treating patients suffering from air pollution
related diseases, and loss of work hours. Elsewhere in the world, when pollution levels go
up to those currently prevalent in Delhi, emergency measures, such as smog alerts to warn
people to stay indoors, are implemented.
Instead, our health minister would have us that fresh air is a commodity that we can do
without, and still be healthy.
