Is there any connection between AQI and lung disease? Modi government’s answer in Parliament surprised everyone: – ..

News India Live, Digital Desk : Health Ministry Report : Nowadays, it has become common to have burning eyes and sore throat as soon as you leave the house in the morning. In many cities of the country including Delhi-NCR AQI (Air Quality Index) It is beyond 400-500. Doctors are shouting that this poisonous air is ruining our lungs. But do you know what the government has said on this issue in Parliament?

In response to a question during the Winter Session of Parliament (Winter Session 2025), the government said that “There is no concrete data available to establish a direct link between high AQI and lung diseases.”

You must be a little surprised to hear this, right? Let us understand in simple language why the government said this and what it means.

What was asked in Parliament?
In fact, a question was asked in the Lok Sabha whether lung diseases are increasing among people due to increasing pollution and bad air (high AQI) and does the government have the data of deaths related to this?

What argument did the government give?
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare (Anupriya Patel) replied that there is no denying that air pollution is harmful for health. But, he said there is no “conclusive data” to prove that pollution alone is causing lung damage or deaths.

The government’s argument is that there are several causes of lung failure:

1. Food and drink: What does the person eat?
2. Habits: Does he smoke?
3. Genetics: Does the disease already run in the family?
4. Working: What kind of place does he work?
5. Economic situation and stress.

The government says that health is a ‘multi-factor’ thing, hence the entire responsibility cannot be put on the air alone.

Doctors and general public have different opinions
The government’s response may technically be based on ‘data’, but the ground reality tells something else.
If you go to hospitals, doctors tell you that the lungs of people who do not smoke are turning black like those of smokers. Asthma and COPD patients are increasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) also considers pollution as a ‘slow poison’.

What do you make of this?
In technical terms, the government may be right that it is difficult to isolate ‘direct data’, but that does not mean that we should be careless. Pollution is a reality and it is affecting our body.

protect yourself
Don’t wait for the data to appear in government files.

• Wear a mask.
• Install air purifier (if possible) or plants in the house.
• Avoid poisonous outside air.

Because no matter what the data says, your breath is yours!

What do you think about this response of the government? Is this true or turning away from ground reality?