Fact Sheet: Air Pollution and Health

Air pollution harms the health of all Indore residents. We can act now to improve health.

Air pollution has become an increasingly urgent health issue in Indore, carrying serious consequences for the wellbeing of all residents. It penetrates deep into the lungs, can even enter the blood and affects health at every stage of life. Air pollution increases the risk of:

• Pregnant women developing preeclampsia.
• Babies being born preterm or low birth weight.
• Children developing and worsening respiratory infections, asthma, or stunted growth.
• Adults having stroke, heart and lung disease, diabetes, or cancer.
• Elderly developing the diseases above and even dementia.
• People with existing disease or pre-existing conditions having worse health.

All of this results in emergency department visits, hospitalizations and even death. It also results in higher costs, missed school days, lower productivity, and lost earnings. These consequences disproportionately fall on women, who bear the burden of unpaid care work and must take care of sick relatives if they fall ill due to pollution.

This fact sheet provides information on the effects of air pollution on human health in Indore. It provides details on common pollutants, methods for alleviating health impacts, and information about the benefits of sustainable transportation.