No Direct AQI-Lung Disease Link Proven Yet, Centre Tells Parliament

The Indian Government stated in Parliament on December 18, 2025, that there is no conclusive data establishing a direct correlation between higher Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and the incidence of lung diseases. Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh provided this written reply in the Rajya Sabha, responding to concerns raised by BJP MP Laxmikant Bajpayee about prolonged exposure to hazardous air quality in Delhi-NCR potentially leading to conditions like lung fibrosis and reduced lung capacity.

Singh acknowledged that air pollution serves as one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. The response emphasized that health impacts from pollution often manifest synergistically with other elements, including food habits, occupational exposures, socioeconomic status, medical history, and individual immunity. This aligns with previous government positions denying exclusive attribution of deaths or diseases solely to air pollution.

To address air pollution-related health risks, the minister highlighted initiatives under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), including dedicated training modules for medical officers, nurses, and frontline workers, as well as customized information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in multiple languages for vulnerable groups. Early warning systems and air quality forecasts from the India Meteorological Department are also disseminated to aid preparation.

Also Read: Government Informs Rajya Sabha: 64 Deaths in 45 Bus Fire Incidents Over Last Three Years

The statement comes amid ongoing severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR, where winter smog frequently pushes AQI into hazardous categories, prompting public health concerns. While the government maintains no direct proven link based on national data, global studies and medical experts widely associate prolonged exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 with increased risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, though attribution remains complex due to multifactorial influences.

Also Read: Which Indian Cities Offered the Cleanest Air this Week?