CEED organized public lecture on air pollution and its health effects
Ranchi, 1 June 2019: Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) organized a
Public lecture on air pollution and its health effects for immediate corrective action by government.The workshop aimed at increasing the awareness on air pollution and to discuss the actions that can be taken by individuals to effectively reduce the risks of adverse health effects from air pollution. The experts in the workshop highlighted the various measures to reduce the health effects of air pollution in the region and urged government to issuance of health advisory on severe air pollution episodes, installing public health display board and increase monitoring and capacity building.
While speaking at the workshop, Ms. Ankita Jyoti, Senior Program Officer, CEED pointed out that there is urgent need for stronger and more integrated actions to deal with the threat of air pollution on public health in the state. She said, “Looking at the deplorable situation of air quality in the urban landscape of the Jharkhand, we need to develop a strong framework for the integration of public health information into policy development. While effective policies to reduce emissions at their sources are clearly preferable, the effectiveness of individual actions to reduce exposure and health risks also has immense importance, she concludes.
Mr. Ghanshyam, Secretary Samvad said, “ Public Health concerns require special attention when we speak of air pollution control and its crucial to prioritised it for collaborative and real action. Today’s discussion has provided an opportunity for us to understand effective air pollution exposer and related health impacts. The need of the hour is to encourage experts to conduct health studies on air pollution and to monitor health impacts on a regular basis. Also, it’s important to develop a public information system based on daily air quality and the issuance of health advisories accordingly, he concludes.
Dr.V.K.Pandey, Medical officer said Personal exposure to ambient air pollution can be reduced on high air pollution days by staying indoors, reducing outdoor air infiltration to indoors, and limiting physical exertion, especially outdoors and near air pollution sources. Further he adds that there is a lack of pertinent research on air pollution impact on health and relevant data in the public domain. In order to develop a better understanding of Air Quality Index (AQI) and the preventive measures for air pollution, we need to develop coordination among the government, medical practitioners and academicians, he concludes.
Dr. Suresh Agarwal, appreciated the “effort by CEED to organize a public lecture on air pollution health impacts and said that it is a step taken in the right direction which will definitely foster positive engagement. Public awareness on air pollution will increase with this discussion. While talking about the steps to reduce exposer he said, avoiding exposure to air pollutants is especially
important for susceptible individuals with chronic cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, children, and the elderly.
The expert forum discussed ways to improve health information on air pollution and recommended a coordinated approach, to control air pollution.
CEED urges the government to formulate a Clean Air Action plan for Ranchi and also request to improved the air quality monitoring in the city.