Madhya Pradesh is grappling with a silent yet deadly crisis: air pollution. A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, paints a grim picture of the state’s deteriorating air quality, with annual PM2.5 levels consistently exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by 8-9 times. The study has raised alarms about the growing threat of respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and neurological disorders for the state’s residents.
The comprehensive study, which spans over four decades of air pollution trends in India, reveals that between 1980 and 2020, PM2.5 levels in Madhya Pradesh surged by a staggering 140%. The fine particulate matter, which is capable of infiltrating the lungs and entering the bloodstream, has reached concentrations of 30-35 µg/m³, a marked increase from the 10-15 µg/m³ levels recorded in 1980. This increase, although lower than the dramatic rises observed in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, is still alarming, particularly as it continues to impact vulnerable populations.
Professor Manish Kumar Goyal and his team from IIT-Indore, who conducted the study, highlighted that the rising levels of PM2.5 in Madhya Pradesh pose a significant public health risk. Director of IIT-Indore, Professor Suhas Joshi, echoed these concerns, stressing that while the state’s pollution levels are lower than those in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the upward trajectory and the impact on public health—especially women—cannot be ignored. The study pointed out that women, due to household practices like cooking with solid fuels, face an even greater risk of respiratory infections and diseases.
The air quality crisis is compounded by the fact that Madhya Pradesh experiences average annual PM2.5 levels of 40-45 µg/m³, with pollution spikes pushing concentrations to as high as 250 µg/m³ on certain days. According to India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the permissible annual limit for PM2.5 is 40 µg/m³, with a 24-hour threshold of 60 µg/m³. Yet, during extreme pollution events, Madhya Pradesh’s PM2.5 concentrations exceed these limits by up to five times, indicating a severe air quality crisis.
What makes the situation even more concerning is the global comparison. The WHO recommends an annual PM2.5 limit of just 5 µg/m³, far below Madhya Pradesh’s levels, with daily limits of 15 µg/m³. The state’s pollution levels surpass WHO guidelines by as much as nine times on an annual basis, and by over twenty times during periods of severe pollution.
The findings of this study serve as a stark reminder that air pollution in Madhya Pradesh has reached critical levels, endangering the health of its population. The government and environmental agencies must act swiftly to implement stricter air quality regulations and invest in sustainable, eco-friendly technologies to curb the growing pollution. Without immediate intervention, the state risks a future where respiratory diseases and other health issues become even more rampant, particularly for its most vulnerable populations.
As the state moves forward, the responsibility lies with policymakers, industries, and citizens alike to address the roots of this environmental crisis. Whether through promoting cleaner energy sources, reducing industrial emissions, or shifting to more sustainable agricultural practices, concerted efforts are needed to restore Madhya Pradesh’s air quality to safe, breathable levels. The consequences of inaction are too severe to ignore.
Madhya Pradesh Faces Alarming Air Pollution Levels
