Plan to combat air pollution – Breathing bad

Source: The post plan to combat air pollution has been created, based on the article “Breathing bad: A lung surgeon’s prescription for our air pollution” published in “Live mints” on 6th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2-governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

News: The article discusses the severe health problems caused by air pollution, the need for better monitoring and public awareness, and actions like improving healthcare and policy planning to combat air pollution’s impact on health, especially in Indian cities.

How is India addressing its air quality crisis?

India is dealing with severe air pollution, especially in urban areas.

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was initiated in 2019. NCAP originally aimed to reduce PM2.5 pollution by 20-30% by 2024.

In 2022, the goal was revised to a 40% reduction by 2026, from the levels in 2017.

The approach includes learning from global initiatives and adapting them to Indian conditions.

For information on NCAP read here

What is the impact of air pollution?

Health Impact:

Air pollution causes diseases like cancer, asthma, heart disease, and dementia.

Globally, it results in 7 million deaths annually, comparable to COVID-19 pandemic deaths.

Economic Impact:

The economic cost of health impacts from air pollution was over $8.1 trillion in 2019.

This represents 6.1% of the global GDP.

Other Impacts: 99% of the world’s population lives in areas exceeding WHO air quality guidelines.

What should be done?

Monitoring and Data Collection: Cities should implement real-time sensor-based air pollution monitoring and collect health-impact data. This approach helps in identifying pollution hotspots and enables prompt, targeted interventions.

Policy and Planning: Urban Local Bodies need to adapt successful global strategies, like London’s Air Quality Action Plan, to Indian contexts. Developing a disease calendar based on environmental and health data can optimize resource allocation and protect vulnerable areas.

Communication and Public Awareness: Transparently sharing real-time pollution data and health advisories across various channels is crucial. This approach makes air quality data relatable, fostering public engagement and awareness.

Healthcare System Improvements: Health centers should be upgraded for targeted care of pollution-affected patients, and healthcare workers must consider air pollution exposure in diagnoses and treatments. Initiatives like the Medanta Institute’s research and advocacy for clean air are exemplary.

Addressing Root Causes: Strict compliance with emission norms is essential, focusing on the root causes of poor air quality rather than temporary fixes. This approach ensures sustainable improvements in air quality.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the strategies for combating air pollution in Indian cities, including monitoring, policy planning, public awareness, healthcare improvements, and addressing root causes.