India’s air quality continues to fall significantly below World Health Organization (WHO) standards, with more than 40% of the population still relying on biomass fuels for cooking, leading to a range of health issues and fatalities every year, according to Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the WHO.

In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, Dr. Neira stressed the urgent need for India to scale up its existing environmental programs aimed at improving air quality, particularly in the domestic sphere. She highlighted the critical role of biomass fuels used in cooking, which contribute heavily to household air pollution.

“We need to consider programs like providing access to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and expanding subsidy schemes, especially in rural areas,” Dr. Neira said. “The effort must not only be maintained but likely scaled up to address the issue effectively,” she added.

Dr. Neira’s comments come as India faces severe air quality challenges, with many cities consistently ranking among the most polluted in the world. The widespread use of traditional biomass fuels, including wood and crop residue, is a key contributor to indoor air pollution, which is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and premature deaths.

The WHO has long advocated for access to cleaner cooking technologies like LPG to reduce air pollution and improve public health. Dr. Neira’s remarks underline the urgent need for a broader and more aggressive policy response to protect the health of millions of Indians, particularly in rural areas where the use of biomass remains prevalent.

Experts agree that scaling up LPG access, combined with stricter regulations on industrial and vehicular emissions, could have a transformative effect on air quality and public health across the country.

India’s Air Quality Falls Short of WHO Standards, Urges Action on LPG Subsidy
WHO Director calls for scaled-up programs to combat household air pollution
India’s air quality continues to fall significantly below World Health Organization (WHO) standards, with more than 40% of the population still relying on biomass fuels for cooking, leading to a range of health issues and fatalities every year, according to Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the WHO.

In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, Dr. Neira stressed the urgent need for India to scale up its existing environmental programs aimed at improving air quality, particularly in the domestic sphere. She highlighted the critical role of biomass fuels used in cooking, which contribute heavily to household air pollution.

“We need to consider programs like providing access to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and expanding subsidy schemes, especially in rural areas,” Dr. Neira said. “The effort must not only be maintained but likely scaled up to address the issue effectively,” she added.

Dr. Neira’s comments come as India faces severe air quality challenges, with many cities consistently ranking among the most polluted in the world. The widespread use of traditional biomass fuels, including wood and crop residue, is a key contributor to indoor air pollution, which is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and premature deaths.

The WHO has long advocated for access to cleaner cooking technologies like LPG to reduce air pollution and improve public health. Dr. Neira’s remarks underline the urgent need for a broader and more aggressive policy response to protect the health of millions of Indians, particularly in rural areas where the use of biomass remains prevalent.

Experts agree that scaling up LPG access, combined with stricter regulations on industrial and vehicular emissions, could have a transformative effect on air quality and public health across the country.