On Air Quality Standard of India- Indians are choking on pollution. How can it be stopped?

Source: The post on Air Quality Standard of India is based on the article “Indians are choking on pollution. How can it be stopped?” published in “Indian express” on 31st October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Environment- pollution (air)

News: The article discusses India’s severe air pollution problem. It highlights health risks, compares Indian air quality standards to WHO’s , and identifies major pollution sources. The article also suggests solutions and emphasizes the impact on life expectancy, especially in cities like Delhi.

What are the major causes of air pollution?

Ambient (Outdoor) Sources:

Vehicular Emissions: Cars, trucks, and buses release pollutants.

Industrial Emissions: Factories and power plants contribute significant pollutants.

Construction and Road Dust: Building activities and unpaved roads add particulate matter.

Stubble Burning: Seasonal agricultural residue burning worsens air quality.

Natural Events: Forest fires and volcanic eruptions release pollutants.

Waste Disposal Sites: Garbage dumps and sewage treatment plants emit harmful gases.

Household (Indoor) Sources:

Biomass Fuels: Using wood, crop waste, and animal dung for cooking releases smoke.

Open Fire-Cooking: Traditional stoves emit large amounts of particulate matter.

What are the different Air Quality Standards used?

India’s Air Quality Standards

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS):

• Established by CPCB, applicable nationally.
• Revised in 1982, 1994, 1998, and 2009.
• Monitors 12 pollutants including PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

• Launched in 2014 by CPCB, with IIT-Kanpur’s consultation
• Tracks 8 major pollutants like PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2.
• The index ranges from ‘Good’ to ‘Severe’ across a 0-500 scale.

WHO Air Quality Standards:

• WHO Tightened global standards in 2021.
• The new annual limit for PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic meter, down from 10.
• 24-hour ceiling for PM2.5 reduced to 15 micrograms from 25.

How do Indian air standards differ from WHO standards?

PM 2.5 Levels: The WHO has a limit of 5 microns for PM 2.5, whereas India’s limit is much higher at 40 microns.

AQI Categories: India uses a six-category AQI system, ranging from “good” to “severe”. Even at an AQI of 126, Delhi’s air quality far exceeds both the national and WHO standards.

Health Impact: Health issues can arise even when the AQI is within what India considers “satisfactory”. This indicates that Indian standards are less protective of public health compared to the WHO’s guidelines.

How severe is the air pollution problem in India?

Life Expectancy Impact: Indians lose an average of 5.3 years of life due to air pollution. For Delhi residents, this number rises to 11.9 years.

World Rankings: Delhi often ranks at or near the top of the world’s most polluted cities. In a 2022 list by IQAir, out of the 50 most polluted cities globally, 39 are in India.

Rural Pollution: Even rural areas face pollution from dust, burnt biomass fuels, and vehicular emissions.

Pollutants: India monitors pollutants like PM 10, PM 2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and others. PM 2.5 levels in places like Delhi far exceed both national and WHO standards.

What are the health impacts of air pollution in India?

Immediate Effects: Acute symptoms include burning eyes, irritation of the nose and throat, cough, and a feeling of choked breath.

Cardiovascular Threats: Air pollution can provoke heart attacks and strokes, as pollutants disrupt atherosclerotic plaques, triggering blood clots.

Chronic Illnesses: Prolonged exposure results in hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, dementia, and cataracts.

Respiratory Issues: Pollution heightens the risks of chronic lung diseases and asthma.

Organ Damage: Air pollution-induced inflammation can damage various organs and lower immunity.

Reproductive Concerns: PM 2.5 particles have been found in maternal placentas and fetal brains. Pollution exposure during pregnancy heightens risks of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, low birth weight, and birth defects.

Children’s Health: Kids exposed to pollution suffer from respiratory infections, are more susceptible to asthma attacks, and can experience reduced learning and physical growth.

What should be done?

Transportation Reforms:

Adopt electric vehicles for cleaner transport.

Promote public transport over personal vehicle use.

Energy and Construction Management:

Shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources quickly.

Follow environmentally friendly construction practices and efficiently manage debris.

Household Improvements:

Substitute biomass fuels with cleaner alternatives like natural gas.

Ensure better ventilation in kitchens to reduce indoor pollution.

Waste Management:

Prohibit practices like stubble and garbage burning.

Personal Protective Measures:

Use high-quality masks (like N95) and air purifiers.

Breathing exercises can help maintain lung function.

Reduce or avoid outdoor activities during high pollution times.

Question to practice:

How does prolonged exposure to air pollution in cities like Delhi impact the health of its residents, and what measures can be taken to mitigate these effects?