Quality of air is worst in Delhi and Kolkata

World Heath Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer declared that air pollution as a major cause of cancer in India. The Agency stated that Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand have high concentration of life-threatening air pollutants. According to Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Report 2010, Kolkata and Delhi are among the worst affected cities in terms of air pollution. Figures compiled by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for 2009-11 have vindicated WHO’s concerns and placed the air pollution in the same category as tobacco, UV radiation and plutonium, which cause lung cancer causing agents. Quoting the ICMR data which showed that the highest number of lung cancer cases was reported during 2009-11 in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, noted environmentalist and director general of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Sunita Narain said, "It is a worrying development. We need to take urgent steps to find ways to deal with the menace of air pollution which directly affects our health." World Heath Organization's (WHO): The World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7th April 1948, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group. The Health Organization was predecessor of WHO which was an agency of erstwhile the League of Nations. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) established in 1911 was re-designated as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1949. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE): The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi. CSE researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable.

What: Delhi, Kolkata declared as cities with worst air quality in India. Who: World Heath Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer.