ICMR Urged to Expand Research on Air Pollution and Its Health Effects: Parliamentary Panel

A Parliamentary Committee has suggested that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) draft a detailed programme to research the harmful effects of air pollution on health and suggest remedies to counteract them. In a report submitted to the Rajya Sabha, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare highlighted the rising menace of air pollution, which is no longer the concern of large cities like Delhi alone but also small towns in India. 

Air Pollution: A Widespread and Increasing Issue:-
The panel observed air pollution has emerged as a major health risk and suggested the development of a national policy based on evidence from "The Impact of Air Pollution on Deaths, Disease Burden, and Life Expectancy Across the States of India: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017." Observing ICMR's current research in this area, however, the panel reaffirmed that additional research is necessary to comprehend and reduce the long-term health impacts of air pollution.

The committee insisted on a multi-agency approach with interdepartmental coordination through an institutionalized setup to regulate air pollution. The committee urged DHR-ICMR to further intensify its research endeavors and submit an action plan delineating steps to address health risks posed by air pollution.

Call for an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency:-
The committee, in its report, also utilized the UN Environment Programme's Emission Gap Report 2020 that had highlighted a rise of 6% in India's greenhouse gas emissions in the last year. Keeping this fact in mind, the panel recommended establishing an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency to facilitate integrated environmental regulation. The agency would be dedicated to controlling air, water, and land pollution, thus ensuring that a variety of non-communicable diseases caused by environmental pollutants are averted.

The committee requested the Department of Health Research (DHR) to undertake an intensive study of pollution issues and commission research to offset the health hazards caused due to exposure to the environment.

ICMR's Contribution to Public Health and False Information:-
Aside from the air pollution studies, the committee suggested that ICMR go on promoting proper health information. It suggested that social studies be made available in a clear, readable format so that individuals can make sound judgments.

The panel also made a reference to a research on sudden COVID-19 deaths that was published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research and recommended that its results be shared far and wide using social media, community newsletters, and blogs. This is for purposes of debunking misinformation and making sure that the public gets reliable health-related information.

The Need for Stronger Policy Interventions
With increasing air pollution levels and direct health impact on the public, the committee underscored the need for an evidence-based intervention. The committee suggested increased coordination between environmental and health agencies, stricter pollution control laws, and enhanced public awareness campaigns.

The suggestions made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare can make future policies have a more structured approach towards addressing the issue of air pollution-related health in India.

Source: Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, Emission Gap Report 2020, Indian Journal of Medical Research