Context
- Studies show that women in India are disproportionately exposed to ambient and indoor air pollution compared to men.( The Lancet Planetary Health in December 2024 titled Estimating the effect of annual PM2·5 exposure on mortality in India)
- Causes: Household chores (cooking with firewood, coal, biomass), higher dependence on non-motorized transport, and more time spent near pollution sources.
- Health impact: Long-term respiratory issues, tuberculosis, stillbirths, and mortality.
Relevance:
- GS-3 (Environment & Ecology): Air pollution, PM2.5, indoor/outdoor pollution sources.
- GS-2 (Social Justice & Governance): Gender-sensitive environmental policy, health equity, public health interventions.
Basics
| Term | Explanation |
| Ambient Air Pollution | Outdoor air pollution from vehicles, industries, power plants, dust, and other sources. |
| Indoor Air Pollution | Pollution inside homes due to burning of biomass, coal, and firewood, commonly in rural areas. |
| PM2.5 | Fine particulate matter (<2.5 μm) that penetrates lungs and bloodstream, causing cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. |
| Vulnerable Groups | Women (due to household and transport exposure) and children (respiratory vulnerability). |
Key Data & Findings
| Indicator | Data / Fact |
| PM2.5 exposure population | 1.1 billion of 1.4 billion Indians (81.9%) live above the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standard (annual mean ≤ 40 μg/m³). |
| Mortality impact | 10 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 → ~9% increase in mortality. |
| Deaths due to PM2.5 (2009–2019) | ~17 million deaths attributed to PM2.5 exposure. |
| Indoor pollution impact on women | Women exposed to biomass fuels >20 years → 3x higher TB risk. |
| Pregnancy outcomes | In Ahmedabad, women exposed to biomass fuels during pregnancy → 50% higher stillbirth risk. |
| Women walking to work | 45% of women walk vs. 27% of men; majority over public/non-motorized transport → higher ambient exposure. |
| Children’s risk | Deaths from lower respiratory infections: 23–44 per 100,000 children (State of Air 2024). |
Broader Societal Implications
- Women and children as vulnerable populations require gender-sensitive environmental policies.
- Exposure has long-term economic and social costs: healthcare burden, lost productivity, reduced life expectancy.
- Need for more clean cooking fuel programs, urban planning, and public transport improvements.
Existing Initiatives:
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) – promoting LPG for clean cooking.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) – reducing ambient PM2.5 and PM10.
Key Takeaways
- Women bear disproportionate air pollution exposure due to traditional household roles and transport patterns.
- Indoor air pollution remains a critical yet under-addressed contributor to mortality and morbidity among women.
- Children are highly susceptible to long-term respiratory illnesses, linking air pollution to intergenerational health risks.
- Urgent need for holistic action integrating gender, health, and environmental policy.
