The wide-ranging remit for this committee includes revisiting the existing standards for criteria pollutants, potentially expanding the base of pollutants being measured, determining the effects of air pollution on human health and vegetation, designing, and setting up of monitoring networks, and reviewing the air quality index. [...] Step-wise approach to strengthen the standard-setting process Integrate health frame in policymaking The fundamental purpose for the existence of environmental laws is for the protection of the public commons, foremost among them being the health of the populace. [...] In the case of air quality, the objective of the notification of air quality standards is to ensure that we meet them to protect public health. [...] The lack of this perspective in environmental policymaking and fundamental misinterpretations of the science has also led to public discourse centered around answering the wrong questions with respect to the health impacts of air pollution12. [...] Introducing a public consultation period before BHARGAV KRISHNA | PAGE 5 OF 7 the notification of any new standards and taking into consideration the feedback received would also ensure that there is greater opportunity for members of the public to engage with a process that impacts every citizen of the country.
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- India
