India to Monitor Air Pollution in 10 Cities
The Indian capital of New Delhi recently passed Beijing, China, for having the world’s most polluted air. Now, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is launching a national air quality index to monitor pollution levels in 10 of the country’s major cities.
Mr. Modi launched the air quality index at a two-day conference that included the environment and forest ministers from all Indian states.
The new air pollution index will measure eight pollutants. The index will use color coding to describe the air’s impact on human health. That will make it easy for citizens in big cities like New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai to know their city’s air quality.
Prime Minister Modi said in launching the index that the country must change the world’s opinion that India does not care about the environment or about climate change.
Mr. Modi said that India has a long tradition of respecting the environment and can show the rest of the world the way in fighting climate change.
The high levels of air pollution in Indian cities are a major concern for residents. The World Health Organization says that 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India.
Doctors have warned that rising levels of air pollution are leading to an increased number of citizens with asthma, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer.
