Record-levels of smog in New Delhi making ‘the invisible killer, a visible killer’: UN expert

Air pollution in India is at its worst, according to the Senior Programme Management Officer for the UN Environment Programme in India.

The unbearable levels of air pollution in India’s New Delhi, declared a public health emergency by the local government as of Monday, have made “the invisible killer, visible”. 

That’s from Valentin Foltescu, Senior Programme Management Officer for the UN Environment Programme in India, UNEP, who said that current levels of toxic particles in the capital are 40 times higher than the upper limit of exposure, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)

Record-levels of smog are expected to plague residents for at least a week, with crop stubble burning, waste mismanagement, and traffic all contributing to the problem.  

Mr. Foltescu told Anshu Sharma how UNEP is working with various sectors to make a difference in eliminating killer smog in New Delhi, and beyond.

Audio Credit: Anshu Sharma, UN News

Audio Duration: 7’49”


This article was originally published by United Nations. Image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com.

RELATED POSTS

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

RELATED ARTICLES