Source contributions to fine particulate matter and attributable mortality in India and the surrounding region

Abstract

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is a leading mortality risk factor in India and the surrounding region of South Asia. This study evaluates the contribution of emission sectors and fuels to PM2.5 mass for 29 states in India and 6 surrounding countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar) by combining source-specific emission estimates, stretched grid simulations from a chemical transport model, high resolution hybrid PM2.5, and disease-specific mortality estimates. 

We find that 1.02 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.78–1.26) million deaths in South Asia attributable to ambient PM2.5 in 2019 were primarily from three leading sectors: residential combustion (28%), industry (15%), and power generation (12%). Solid biofuel is the leading combustible fuel contributing to the PM2.5-attributable mortality (31%), followed by coal (17%), and oil and gas (14%). 

State-level analyses reveal higher residential combustion contributions (35%–39%) in states (Delhi, Uttar-Pradesh, Haryana) with high ambient PM2.5 (>95 μg/m3). The combined mortality burden associated with residential combustion (ambient) and household air pollution (HAP) in India is 0.72 million (95% CI:0.54–0.89) (68% attributable to HAP, 32% attributable to residential combustion). 

Our results illustrate the potential to reduce PM2.5 mass and improve population health by reducing emissions from traditional energy sources across multiple sectors in South Asia.