‘We have to acknowledge this is a national health emergency’ – Firstpost

As actor Dia Mirza completes nearly 25 years in the Indian film industry, she continues to balance her on-screen career with long-standing work in environmental advocacy. Alongside acting across films and streaming platforms, Mirza has spent close to a decade engaging with climate and public health issues, particularly air pollution.

Mirza, who has been associated with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for several years, says her focus on clean air began when she was exposed to global data that was not yet part of mainstream Indian discourse.

“Clean air has always been central to my environmental activism. When I was appointed a UNEP ambassador about eight years ago, I attended a conference in Bangkok for a campaign called Breathe Life. That was when I was introduced to the data and statistics on air pollution that are only now becoming part of wider public discourse. Back then, air quality barely received attention outside a few winter months, and even then it was framed as a Delhi problem. The data today makes it clear that this is not regional; it is national. Yet, it still hasn’t been prioritised by states with the urgency it demands. For nearly a decade, we’ve been saying one thing: the right to life begins with the right to breathe, and the right to breathe begins with the right to breathe clean air.”

She points out that air pollution often goes unnoticed because its effects are not always immediately visible, despite consistent data indicating year-round exposure risks.

“Air pollution isn’t always visible unless it becomes extremely dense, which is why people notice it more in winter. But data shows that air quality remains poor for long stretches through the year. When 21 of the world’s most polluted cities are in India, we have to acknowledge this as a national health emergency. Pregnant women, foetuses, children in their developmental years, everyone is affected. Prolonged exposure causes brain fog, developmental disruptions in children, inflammation in women in their 40s or those going through menopause, and a range of respiratory illnesses. In simple terms, it’s bad for us. AQI levels above 100 are harmful, and anything crossing 300 is dangerous even for short exposure. This is not something we can afford to normalise.”

Mirza also raised concerns about inconsistencies in air quality readings across platforms, saying this can lead to confusion and underestimation of health risks. She said she monitors air quality data from multiple sources, including independent global platforms and government-approved monitors.

“I track data from multiple platforms, including IQAir and the CPCB-approved monitor at ICRISAT, a scientific institution here in Hyderabad. What worries me is that these platforms often show very different numbers. Independent apps frequently report AQI levels that are 30 to 40 points higher than those on state-run platforms. When official readings consistently appear lower, it creates confusion and, worse, a false sense of safety. Discrediting third-party apps, questioning devices, or even manipulating readings does not solve anything. It only shifts attention away from the real issue. Denial helps no one. We must acknowledge the problem honestly, present accurate information, and treat air pollution for what it truly is: a public health emergency.”

Over the years, Mirza has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNEP, an Advocate for the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals, and an Ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India. Her advocacy work has included participation in global forums, environmental awareness campaigns and conservation initiatives, running parallel to her acting career.

As conversations around climate change and public health gain greater urgency, Mirza’s remarks underline the growing intersection between environmental data, policy response and everyday health concerns in India.