India, Dec. 20 -- Air pollution is a trigger for respiratory ailments and associated diseases, but there is no conclusive data that establishes a direct correlation between higher air quality index (AQI) and lung diseases, Union environment ministry said.

"Air pollution is one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. There is no conclusive data which establishes a direct correlation between higher AQI levels and lung diseases," minister of state (MoS) for environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said.

MoS Singh was responding to queries raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Laxmikant Bajpai, who sought to know whether the government was aware of medical studies confirming that masses were developing lung fi...