PM2.5 Pollution Caused Over 17 Lakh Deaths in India in 2022; Fossil Fuels Linked to 44%: The Lancet

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi | Air pollution continues to pose a grave public health challenge in India, with PM2.5 pollution — fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs — responsible for over 17 lakh deaths in 2022, according to a new global study published by The Lancet.

The report found that human-caused air pollution led to a 38% rise in deaths compared to 2010, underscoring the worsening impact of deteriorating air quality on India’s population. Notably, the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas accounted for 44% of the total PM2.5-related deaths.

The Lancet study assessed global mortality linked to PM2.5 exposure, highlighting that India, along with China, remains among the countries most affected by fine particulate pollution. The findings point to rapid industrialisation, vehicular emissions, and coal-based power generation as major contributors to air pollution levels across Indian cities.