The Air We Breathe: How Pollution in India is Endangering Women and Children's Health
By Surabhi Malhotra
The air in India tells a story—one of rapid development, unbridled urbanization, and the cost of progress. From the industrial hubs of Mumbai to the smog-choked streets of Delhi, pollution has become an inescapable reality, creeping into homes, schools, and workplaces in major Indian cities. According to the WHO global air pollution database, out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world, 14 are in India. Every year, toxic air in India exposes millions to dangerous pollutants, leading to long-term health consequences. While the pollution crisis spares no one, it doesn’t strike everyone equally. The women and children bear the heaviest burden.
Air Pollution in Delhi (India)
Source: K. Guttikunda, S., Krishna Dammalapati, S., Pradhan, G., Krishna, B., Jethva, H., & Jawahar, P. (2023, February 26). What Is Polluting Delhi’s Air? A Review from 1990 to 2022.
Delhi, once known for its rich history and vibrant culture, now carries a new identity—that of the world’s most polluted capital. Over the years, Delhi's air quality has consistently deteriorated, with recent data showing Air Quality Index (AQI) levels frequently reaching the "very poor" or "severe" categories.
Air pollution in Delhi over the years (Reanalyzed annual average PM2.5 concentrations in Delhi for the period of 1998 to 2021 using a chemical transport model (GEOS–chem), ground measurements, and satellite observations.)
Impacts of Air Pollution on Health
The State of Global Air 2024 report, an annual publication jointly produced by the Health Effects Institute and UNICEF, highlights the deadly nature of air pollution, which is the second-largest global killer after high blood pressure. Air pollution severely impacts people’s health in a myriad of ways.
Clinical studies emphasize the significant health risks posed by air pollution, as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can reach deep into the lungs, increasing the likelihood of respiratory problems, cardiovascular illnesses, and neurodevelopmental issues. While short-term impacts include aggravated asthma symptoms and lung problems, the more dangerous effects are the long-term impacts of prolonged exposure to polluted air, including heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, lower respiratory infections (such as pneumonia), adverse birth outcomes, and early death. According to Save the Children, in 2020, pollution accounted for around 54,000 premature deaths in New Delhi and nearly 1.7 million premature deaths in all of India in 2019.
Women, particularly those in marginalized communities, face disproportionate risks due to prolonged exposure to toxic air. Pregnant women and newborns are among the most vulnerable, with pollutants like PM2.5 affecting fetal development and leading to long-term health issues. Research has linked Delhi’s severe pollution to infertility, pregnancy complications, and increased risks of miscarriage and stillbirth. Beyond reproductive health, chronic exposure to pollution has been shown to elevate hypertension risks in women aged 15-49, a condition further exacerbated by existing health disparities. The burden of pollution falls even heavier on women in informal and outdoor labor sectors, such as street vendors, domestic workers, and construction laborers. Many of these women endure both outdoor and indoor pollution, yet lack access to protective measures or healthcare. Women construction workers, already vulnerable due to harsh work environments, often suffer from respiratory illnesses but hesitate to report symptoms for fear of losing their jobs.
Apart from women, children are among the most vulnerable to air pollution, facing severe health risks even before birth. Air pollution is the second leading cause of death among children under five, after malnutrition. In 2021, over 700,000 deaths in this age group were linked to air pollution-related diseases, with more than 500,000 attributed to household air pollution. This represents 15% of all global deaths in children under five. Pollutants can cross the placenta, increasing the likelihood of low birth weight, stillbirth, and developmental delays. Once born, children inhale more polluted air relative to their size due to their rapid breathing rates, exposing them to harmful particulate matter and toxic gases. In Delhi, the crisis is particularly alarming—32.1% of children report respiratory symptoms compared to 18.2% in rural areas. In addition to the immediate health risks, air pollution has also been shown to lower academic performance and increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Poor air quality has been linked to higher school absenteeism, grade repetition, and lower cognitive abilities, reinforcing cycles of poverty and inequality.
What’s Driving Delhi’s Pollution?
While air pollution in India is largely driven by household burning emissions, coal combustion, agricultural burning, and transportation, Delhi faces a unique set of contributors that exacerbate its air quality crisis. Vehicular pollution is a major culprit, with the city housing 8% of the national vehicle fleet in a compact area, leading to severe traffic congestion and high pollution exposure. Open waste burning, both in residential areas and landfills, further degrades air quality, while industrial emissions from factories in neighboring cities like Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad contribute significantly. The residential sector also plays a role, with emissions from cooking, heating, and lighting adding to the pollution burden. Construction activities, including demolition, drilling, and mixing, generate substantial dust, compounded by road dust from vehicle movement and unpaved surfaces. Additionally, electricity consumption and regional power plants strain the air quality, underscoring the need for comprehensive and sustained interventions to tackle Delhi’s pollution crisis.
Delhi’s battle against air pollution is riddled with half-measures and fleeting interventions, failing to address the crisis at its roots. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a four-tier emergency system, enforces vehicle restrictions, construction bans, and school closures when pollution levels spike—but only as a reactive measure. Judicial bodies like the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal have attempted to curb emissions from vehicles, industries, and agriculture, yet their directives are often undermined by weak enforcement. The odd-even vehicle rationing scheme, introduced with much fanfare, has yielded little lasting impact, while the push for a clean energy transition remains hampered by pollution spilling in from neighboring states. These fragmented efforts, though well-intended, are too inconsistent, too short-sighted, and too disconnected from the systemic causes of pollution. Delhi’s air pollution is not a seasonal nuisance—it is a relentless, year-round crisis that demands bold, sustained action. Without stronger enforcement, year-round policies, and a fundamental shift in public awareness and governance, Delhi’s air crisis will continue to suffocate its residents—one breath at a time.
The solution lies not in temporary bans and knee-jerk restrictions but in a systemic overhaul that prioritizes clean air as a fundamental right. Public transport should be revolutionized, with expanded metro and bus networks reducing dependence on private vehicles. Renewable energy should replace coal, cutting emissions at their root. Pollution monitoring must be strengthened, leveraging real-time data to inform smarter policies. And most critically, public awareness needs to shift—people must be empowered to adopt cleaner cooking fuels and eliminate waste burning. This is not just an environmental necessity—it is an economic imperative. Research shows that tackling air pollution can boost GDP, lower healthcare costs, and extend life expectancy.
Delhi’s toxic air is stealing years from its children’s lives and disproportionately affecting women’s health and well-being. Without targeted interventions, Delhi’s air pollution crisis will continue to deepen existing gender inequalities, making it imperative to integrate gender-sensitive policies into air quality management and public health strategies. Protecting them requires a fundamental shift—from short-term crisis management to long-term, science-driven solutions.
The right to clean air is a basic human right, and ensuring a healthier future for Delhi’s most vulnerable must be a top priority for policymakers, businesses, and communities alike. The time to act is now.
Surabhi is a passionate advocate for child rights and social impact, with extensive experience in education, youth engagement, and policy advocacy. Committed to creating systemic change for vulnerable children, she is currently pursuing a Master of International Relations at The Fletcher School, Tufts University focusing on the intersection of children’s rights and sustainable development.