Pollution and health impacts are interconnected but often not addressed cohesively. Pollution studies usually isolate source contributions without linking them to health damage potential. Policies should focus on sources that cause maximum human exposure. Globally, vehicles contribute up to half of city particulates. In India, people breathe 3–4 times more pollutants than ambient levels, especially near roads where most of the population lives. Exposure to multi-pollutant mixtures (like particulates, NOx, ozone, diesel fumes) significantly increases chronic diseases like lung cancer, stroke, and respiratory illnesses. Air quality management should prioritize health-protection-driven actions.