Air Pollution in India

India, amidst rapid economic growth, faces formidable air pollution challenges, jeopardizing health and economy. Air pollution, from natural and anthropogenic sources, ranks among the world's highest, impacting all 1.4 billion citizens. Indoor pollution, notably from biomass fuel use, poses significant health risks, claiming 1.3 million lives annually. Outdoor pollution stems from fossil fuel combustion, industrial emissions, and natural phenomena. Government initiatives include emission regulation norms, waste management rules, and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to combat pollution. The Air Act of 1981 mandates pollution control measures, while the NCAP aims for a 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2026. Collaboration between states is vital for effective pollution reduction. Sustained efforts, funding, and capacity building are imperative for long-term air quality management.

India, with one of the globe's most rapidly expanding economies, grapples with the challenge of air pollution as a byproduct of its growth and development. This silent menace poses a significant threat, with air pollution levels ranking among the highest globally. This pervasive issue jeopardises both the health and economy of the nation. Every one of India's 1.4 billion inhabitants faces exposure to unhealthy concentrations of ambient PM 2.5, the most detrimental pollutant, originating from various emission sources.

When certain solid, liquid, or gaseous substances, termed pollutants, directly or indirectly harm living organisms, property, and the environment, the air is deemed polluted. Recognized as the paramount environmental risk to health globally, air pollution is accountable for an estimated 7 million deaths annually. Both natural phenomena and human activities contribute to air pollution. While natural sources significantly impact air quality in arid regions, prone to occurrences such as forest fires and dust storms, human activities overwhelmingly surpass natural contributions.
There are two types of air pollution

1. Outdoor/ambient air pollution
2. Indoor/household air pollution

Indoor air pollution stands as a formidable health hazard, ranking among the top five environmental risks globally. Shockingly, studies reveal that household air pollution claims more lives than its outdoor counterpart. In India, where approximately 70% of the rural population resides, a staggering 80% of households rely on biomass fuels for cooking, catapulting the nation to the forefront of countries grappling with the largest populations lacking access to cleaner cooking fuels. The repercussions of poor indoor air quality reverberate profoundly, with an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually attributed to this silent killer in India alone.

Health Impact of Indoor air pollution:

• Suspended Particulate Matter (SPMs) emitted from indoor air pollutants serve as precursors to respiratory infections and chronic bronchitis, contributing to a burden of illness.
• Gaseous pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) induce wheezing and exacerbate asthma symptoms, exacerbating respiratory distress among vulnerable populations.
• NO2 instigates respiratory infections and impairs lung function, compromising the respiratory health of individuals exposed to indoor pollutants.
• Biomass smoke poses grave health risks, including the onset of cataracts and cancers affecting the lungs, mouth, nasopharynx, and larynx.

Ways to control Indoor air pollution

1. Promotion of Cleaner Fuel Distribution: Government initiatives to provide subsidized LPG and efficient stove options on a large scale. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims to achieve this objective.
2. Modernization of Traditional Stoves: Upgrading traditional stoves with improved designs to reduce emissions.
3. Discouraging Traditional Biomass Fuel Use: Encouraging people to move away from using firewood, cow dung, and crop residue as fuel sources.
4. Enhancing Indoor Ventilation: Ensuring proper airflow within households, especially in kitchens, through ventilation systems or opening windows.
5. Mechanical Air Purification: Utilizing devices like HEPA filters and air purifiers to remove indoor pollutants effectively.

Outdoor air pollution is a pressing environmental health issue with global ramifications, affecting individuals across diverse geographical and socioeconomic contexts. Fossil fuel combustion stands as a primary driver of outdoor air pollution, emanating from various sectors such as power generation, transportation, industrial activities, and residential heating. Additionally, unregulated disposal practices, including the burning of plastics and batteries, contribute to pollutant emissions from open pits and incinerators.

Furthermore, natural phenomena such as wildfires and peatland burning generate haze and release pollutants into the atmosphere. Sand and dust storms mobilize particulate matter, further exacerbating air pollution levels. Moreover, desertification, often stemming from human-induced land degradation such as deforestation and wetland drainage, contributes to increased particulate matter in the air, exacerbating outdoor air pollution

In September 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced updated air quality guidelines, signaling a critical response to the escalating threat of air pollution to human health. According to WHO, air pollution ranks among the most significant environmental hazards, attributing to approximately seven million premature deaths annually, a burden of disease comparable to smoking and unhealthy eating habits combined. Notably, nearly 80% of deaths associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could be prevented globally if current air pollution levels were reduced to the levels proposed in the updated guidelines.

The revised norms set forth by WHO encompass air quality standards for six pollutants, underscoring a comprehensive approach to addressing air pollution at a global scale. These updated guidelines advocate for lower concentrations of pollutants compared to the existing norms established in 2005, reflecting an acknowledgment of the evolving understanding of air pollution's health impacts and the imperative for more stringent regulatory measures.

The air pollution situation in India, as outlined in the World Air Quality Report 2023 released by Swiss organisation IQAir is concerning. India ranked as the third worst country out of 134 nations based on its average annual PM2.5 concentration. In 2023, India recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 µg/m3, which exceeds the WHO PM2.5 annual guidelines by more than tenfold. Additionally, the report identified 42 Indian cities among the top 50 most polluted cities globally. Notably, Begusarai emerged as the most polluted metropolitan area in 2023, followed by Guwahati and Delhi.

• According to the report released by IQAir, there are 42 Indian cities among the top 50 most polluted cities globally.
• Of the top ten most polluted cities in the world, 9 belong to India.
• Notably, Begusarai emerged as the most polluted metropolitan area in 2023, followed by Guwahati and Delhi.
• Other cities in the top 50 most polluted cities of the world are Greater Noida (11), Muzzafarnagar (16), Gurgaon (17), Arrah (18), Dadri (19), Patna (20), Faridabad (25), Noida (26), Meerut (28), Ghaziabad (35) and Rohtak (47).
• The least polluted cities in India include Aizawl, Gangtok, Chamarajanagar.

1. Agricultural Activities:
   • Agriculture is a notable source of air pollution, particularly in regions like Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Practices like stubble burning and slash-and-burn agriculture release pollutants into the air. Additionally, the use of ammonia, insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers emits harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, contributing to both air and water pollution.
2. Combustion of Fossil Fuels:
   • The burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal in vehicles, power plants, and industries releases pollutants like sulfur dioxide, CO2, CO, and nitrous oxide into the air, contributing significantly to air pollution.
3. Other Industrial Emissions:
   • Manufacturing industries emit pollutants such as hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air, further exacerbating air pollution levels.
4. Indoor Air Pollution:
   • Household cleaning products, paints, and other indoor pollutants emit toxic chemicals, degrading indoor air quality and posing health risks to occupants.
5. Mining Operations:
   • Large-scale mining operations release dust and chemicals into the air, causing significant air pollution.
6. Forest Fires:
   • Forest fires release particulate matter into the air, which can irritate respiratory systems and cause tissue damage.
7. Dust Storms:
   • Dust storms carry harmful particles, including virus spores from the ground, contributing to the spread of diseases globally. Additionally, they contribute to phenomena like acid rain and urban smog.
8. Burning of Electronic Waste:
   • Improper disposal of electronic waste, often through burning, releases harmful gases into the atmosphere, further worsening air quality and posing environmental and health hazards.
9. Landfills:
   • Waste decomposition in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas and asphyxiant, contributing to air pollution. Landfills are also susceptible to fires, releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere.

• Air pollution is a significant contributor to global death and disease.
• Its effects can be immediate or prolonged, leading to an increased risk of premature death.
• In 2019, air pollution was responsible for 1.67 million deaths in India, representing 17.8% of total deaths.
• Short-term health effects include skin irritation following exposure.
• Long-term exposure can result in heart issues, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections in children.

• Ground-level ozone increase can harm ecosystems and impair plant growth in forests and wildlife habitats.
• Elevated levels of greenhouse gases like CO2 contribute to long-term climate changes, leading to environmental consequences such as rising sea levels.
• Pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides contribute to acid rain formation, which can inflict significant damage on humans, animals, and crops.
• Air pollution can disrupt wildlife habitats, forcing species to migrate to new areas and altering their natural environments.
• Chlorofluorocarbon pollution can deplete the ozone layer, resulting in harmful radiation reaching the Earth's surface. This radiation can cause skin and eye ailments and negatively impact crop yields.

• Air pollution exacts a substantial financial toll due to pollution-related deaths and illnesses.
• It is estimated that air pollution costs as much as 6.2% of the global economy.
• The economic burden is disproportionately higher in lower-income economies compared to higher-income countries.
• In India, the economic losses attributable to air pollution in 2019 amounted to US$36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
• These losses comprise US$28.8 billion from premature deaths and US$8 billion from morbidity associated with air pollution.

• Establishment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards:
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has notified national ambient air quality standards in accordance with the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. These standards serve as benchmarks for air quality across the country, ensuring a legal framework for pollution control efforts nationwide.
• Promotion of Cleaner Technologies:
  • Emphasis is placed on adopting cleaner and alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Additionally, measures such as ethanol blending in petrol and diesel are promoted to reduce emissions from vehicular and industrial sources.
• National Air Quality Index (AQI):
  • The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched in October 2014 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It serves as a platform to disseminate air quality information to the general public in a simplified manner.
  • The AQI is designed to communicate air quality status to the public in easily understandable terms. It condenses complex air quality data from various pollutants into a single index value, accompanied by a nomenclature and color scheme.
  • Real-time monitoring forms the basis of the AQI, utilizing a color-coded system to convey air quality levels. There are six categories within the NAQI, ranging from "Good" to "Severe," indicating varying degrees of air pollution.
  • The index encompasses measurements of eight major pollutants, including PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and lead.
• Implementation of Vehicular Emission Norms:
  • The transition from Bharat Stage (BS) IV to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) vehicular emission norms was notified to take effect from April 1, 2020.
  • The introduction of BS-VI norms was driven by the need to address the environmental challenges posed by vehicular emissions.
  • The cleanliness of fuel is gauged by its sulfur content, with lower sulfur levels indicating cleaner fuel.
  • BS-VI fuel boasts significantly reduced sulfur content compared to BS-IV fuel, with the maximum sulfur content reduced to 10 mg/kg from 50 mg/kg under BS-IV.
  • This reduction in sulfur content facilitates the deployment of more efficient catalytic converters in vehicles, enhancing their ability to capture and neutralize pollutants emitted during combustion.
• Amendments to Waste Management Rules:
  • Extensive revisions to various Waste Management Rules, have been enacted to enhance waste handling practices.
• Promotion of Public Transport:
  • Initiatives aimed at promoting public transport include the expansion of metro networks, incentivizing the use of e-rickshaws, fostering carpooling practices, and mandating Pollution Under Control Certificates.
  • Major industries are subject to continuous (24x7) monitoring through the installation of online devices to ensure adherence to pollution control regulations.
• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • The Act aims to prevent, control, and mitigate air pollution in India.
  • It mandates the establishment of central and state-level pollution control boards to oversee pollution management efforts.
  • The Act also sets ambient air quality standards to facilitate effective monitoring of air pollution levels.
  • Provisions within the Act prohibit the use of polluting fuels and substances, as well as regulate the use of appliances that contribute to air pollution.
  • State governments, in consultation with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), are authorized to designate specific areas as air pollution control zones.
  • Any industrial plant established or operated within these designated zones must obtain consent from the respective SPCBs to ensure compliance with pollution control measures.

• Launched by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the NCAP serves as a comprehensive framework for the central and state governments to combat air pollution.
• Its primary objective is to achieve the prescribed annual average ambient air quality standards nationwide within a specified timeframe.
• Initially, the program aimed to reduce particulate matter (PM) concentrations by 20-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024. However, this target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2026 in 131 non-attainment cities.
• Key features of NCAP include:
  • Setting a national target of a 40% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2026, using 2017 as the base year for comparison.
  • Adopting a collaborative and multi-scale approach involving coordination between central ministries, state governments, and local bodies.
  • NCAP identifies 131 non-attainment cities where mitigation actions are prioritized.
  • Each city has a specific action plan tailored to its unique air quality challenges and local conditions.

Managing air quality is a continuous endeavour that must be ingrained within government capabilities and embraced by businesses and individuals alike. Adequate funding and ongoing capacity building efforts are essential for sustained progress. It's crucial to recognize that addressing air pollution cannot rely solely on local emissions reduction; instead, collaborative endeavours between states are necessary to efficiently meet WHO Air Quality Interim Targets, particularly in areas with persistently high pollution levels.