IMPACT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ON PM2.5 LEVELS IN INDIA: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON SELECTIVE INDIAN DISTRICTS

Air pollution remains one of the most urgent environmental and public health crises of the 21st century. Among its various components, fine particulate matter commonly referred to as PM2.5 has become a particular focus of concern. PM2.5 consists of airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller roughly 1/30th the width of a human hair(EPA). Due to their microscopic size, these particles can bypass the bodys natural defenses, penetrate deep into the lungs, and even enter the bloodstream. As a result, PM2.5 exposure has been strongly linked to a wide range of health problems, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, and premature deaths (WHO, 2018).Historically, most scientific attention has centered on PM2.5 emissions in urban and industrial regions. However, emerging research indicates that rural India is now experiencing PM2.5 concentrations that often rival or even exceed those in urban centers, especially during periods of intense economic activity such as agricultural residue burning or seasonal industrial operations (Pandey et al., 2021). This shift underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of how economic development, in both rural and urban areas, contributes to air-quality degradation.