and consistently ranking among the top five most polluted countries in the worldin 2019 indias average particulate matter concentration was 703 gm3 the highest in the world and 7 times the whos guideline of 10 gm3 air pollution shortens average indian life expectancy by 59 years relative to what it would be if the world health organization who guideline was met 3 years relative to what it would be if pollution were reduced to meet the countrys own national standard some areas of india fare much worse than average with air pollution shortening lives by 97 years in delhi and 95 years in uttar pradesh the report saidken lee director of the aqli said the bad news is that the greatest impacts of air pollution remain concentrated in south asia the good news is that governments in this region are recognising the severity of the problem and are now beginning to respond the government of indias national clean air programme ncap is an important step towards cleaner air and longer lives as is the establishment of the new commission for air quality management in the ncr lee said