Analysis trends of Environment pollutants (Ambient Air Pollution) and its adverse health effect in New Delhi over a period of 2018-2023

Problem considered: Air pollution is a critical environmental health issue with profound impacts on vulnerable populations. Understanding the impact of ambient air pollution on adverse health outcomes and death rate is crucial for informing evidence-based interventions and policy measures to address this critical issue.

Methods: We analyzed secondary data on ambient air pollutants particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone (O₃) levels from 2018 to 2023 across all eight districts in New Delhi. Data were obtained from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi government databases. Health outcome indicators, including overall mortality rate, were assessed for associations with ambient air pollutant levels.

 Results: Air pollutant levels across all districts of New Delhi were found to be highest during 2018–2019, followed by a decline in 2019–2021, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. Additionally, all pollutants showed positive associations with adverse health outcomes (mortality indices), with particularly strong links between SO₂ and ozone in Delhi.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight a concerning association between ambient air pollution and adverse health outcomes in New Delhi. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution, as multiple confounding factors such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and healthcare access may also influence outcomes. More large-scale and long-term studies are needed to minimize these limitations and establish stronger causal relationships.

Keywords: Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, Death Rate, Mortality Indices