Improvement in air quality index (AQI), particularly in terms of reducing the PM2.5 level can improve the life expectancy in all 24 districts ofJharkhand.
A study conducted by theEnergy Policy Institute, University of Chicago (EPIC), has found that by adhering toWorld Health Organisation(WHO) prescribed standards of PM2.5 concentration, theaverage life expectancyof a person can be improved by 6.8 years inDhanbadand 5.4 years in Ranchi.
AQLI links research work with satellite data of PM2.5 concentration and plot life expectancy graph as every 10 micro gram per metre cube increase in PM2.5 concentration reduced life expectancy by 0.64 years, he said. The WHO puts the PM2.5 limit at 5 micro gram per metre cube while India puts it at 40 micro gram per metre cube.
The idea of corelating historical research data with satellite observation of pollutants is further useful in case of states like Jharkhand which lacks real-time monitoring of ambient air quality.