Cutting Through Air Pollution and Protecting Public Health in India

Air pollution is one of the highest-ranking environmental health challenges in the world, especially in developing countries like India. With rising air pollution levels and deadly health risks, leading cities have developed clean air programs using the air quality index.

Ahmedabad is one of India’s largest and fastest growing cities with a population surpassing 7.3 million. The World Health Organization urban air quality database, and several international and Indian studies have identified Ahmedabad as one of the most polluted cities in the world. To support the air quality index in protecting citizen health in Ahmedabad, the Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar and the Natural Resources Defense Council are working with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on information, education, and communication strategies for the new air quality index. The combined efforts of government agencies, health professionals, and community leaders can serve to effectively inform the public about rising air pollution health risks in India, and how to take steps to protect community and individual health.