Govt: No Solid Evidence Directly Links High AQI to Lung Diseases

• Government of India informed Parliament there's no "solid evidence" directly linking high AQI levels to lung diseases.
• Ministry of Health stated air pollution is an "aggravating factor" for respiratory issues, not the sole or primary cause.
• Government cites multifactorial nature of lung diseases and lack of long-term, India-specific longitudinal studies.
• This position contrasts with WHO and Global Burden of Disease reports linking air pollution to premature mortality.
• Medical bodies like Lung Care Foundation compare severe AQI to smoking, causing irreversible lung damage.

Why It Matters: Government denies direct link between high AQI and lung diseases, sparking debate among experts.