By Dr. Arvind Kumar*
Air pollution, stemming from the introduction of noxious agents such as gases, particles, and biological compounds, can inflict severe harm on the health and well-being of humans, animals, plants, and the natural surroundings. This pervasive concern, recognized as air pollution, stands as a foremost contributor to fatalities and illnesses on a worldwide scale, with a particularly profound impact in nations of lower and middle income where air quality standards are frequently breached. As per the World Air Quality Report 2023 India’s capital, Delhi, ranks 4th as the most polluted city in the world after Chiang Mai (Thailand), Kathmandu (Nepal), and Shenyang (China). According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an annual toll of seven million lives and subjects nine out of every ten people to elevated levels of harmful pollutants. Furthermore, the economic toll of air pollution is substantial, accounting for an annual cost of $2.9 trillion or 3.3% of the global GDP.
Air pollution results from various primary sources, notably the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for power generation, transportation, industrial activities, and household usage. In addition to these, emissions from factories, mines, and agricultural practices play a significant role in exacerbating air pollution. The burning of biomass, encompassing materials such as wood, crop residues, and animal excrement, for cooking and heating, further compounds the issue. Furthermore, improper waste disposal methods, such as the open burning of refuse and fires in landfills, introduce pollutants into the atmosphere. Lastly, natural events like volcanic eruptions, dust storms, and wildfires also contribute to the presence of pollutants in the air. Collectively, these sources release a spectrum of pollutants into the environment, including particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), and black carbon (BC).
Impact on Human Health and Environment
A diverse array of deleterious consequences, both in terms of human health and the pristine natural environment, can be attributed to atmospheric contaminants. Notably, particulate matter (PM), composed of minuscule solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, possesses the remarkable capacity to profoundly infiltrate the pulmonary and circulatory systems, thereby precipitating a spectrum of respiratory and cardiovascular afflictions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, and lung carcinoma. Furthermore, PM exerts its detrimental influence by impeding optical clarity, inflicting damage upon agricultural crops, and actively contributing to the overarching concern of climate change.An equally compelling instance lies in the formation of ozone (O3), which arises as a consequence of the intricate interplay between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when subjected to the radiant influence of sunlight. Ozone, a formidable protagonist among atmospheric pollutants, wields the potential to incite irritation in the sensory organs, namely the eyes, nose, and throat, thus exacerbating preexisting respiratory maladies such as asthma and bronchitis. Furthermore, O3 stands guilty of perpetrating extensive harm to vegetation, curtailing agricultural yields, and rendering structural materials like rubber and plastics susceptible to degradation.
Moreover, as we delve into the realm of nitrogen oxides (NOx), primarily birthed from the combustion processes of vehicles and power plants, NOx reveals its role in aiding in the formation of both ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM). NOx’s consequences extend further, orchestrating acid rain, a corrosive downpour capable of wreaking havoc upon aquatic ecosystems and defacing the structures of yore.In this atmospheric intrigue, NOx’s insidious influence takes a sinister turn as it infiltrates the human respiratory system, giving rise to inflammation and diminished lung function. Meanwhile, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emerges from the burning of coal and oil, joining forces with NOx in the formation of PM and acid rain. The plot thickens as SO2 exercises its mysterious power over our respiratory faculties, inducing coughing, wheezing, and breathless mysteries that haunt our existence. Not content with these sinister machinations, SO2 extends its reach into the nervous system, unleashing headaches, nausea, and dizzying spells that baffle the mind.Carbon monoxide (CO) emanating predominantly from the cryptic recesses of incomplete combustion involving fossil fuels and biomass, CO takes its residence within the very blood, binding to hemoglobin and obfuscating the delivery of life-sustaining oxygen to organs and tissues. The result: an array of afflictions, from headaches to inexplicable fatigue, drowsiness, and at the most the curtain of death itself. But CO’s intrigue doesn’t end there; it extends to the realm of the cardiovascular system, where it raises the specter of heart attacks and arrhythmias, adding another layer to this atmospheric enigma.
Moreover, the enigmatic presence of methane (CH4) beckons from the concealed recesses of natural reservoirs, like the mysterious realm of wetlands and the cryptic dominion of termites. It is also summoned forth by the enigmatic rituals of human activities, including the enigmatic machinations of agriculture and the enigmatic domains of landfills. The enigma deepens as we uncover CH4’s formidable credentials as a greenhouse gas, which unfurls a conundrum of staggering global significance. CH4 assumes a pivotal role in the intricate drama of global warming and the mysterious ballet of climate change.As we delve deeper into the enigma, CH4 engages in enigmatic partnerships with other elusive pollutants, including the shadowy companions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O3), all of which conspire to influence the very alchemy of the atmosphere. This clandestine collaboration gives rise to a plethora of effects that cast a shroud of enigma over air quality, leading us down a labyrinthine path of uncertainty.
In this enigmatic odyssey through the atmospheric enigma, we encounter yet another enigmatic character, known as black carbon (BC). Emerging primarily from the arcane realms of incomplete combustion, where fossil fuels and biomass smolder in perplexing unity, BC steps into the limelight as a cryptic component of particulate matter (PM). It possesses an enigmatic faculty to ensnare the sun’s radiant energy, weaving a spell that warms the very fabric of the atmosphere while nudging the global thermostat toward an uncertain destiny.But the enigma persists, for BC’s influence extends into the cryptic terrain of human health, where it wraps its enigmatic tendrils around the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, casting an ambiguous cloak over the eyes and skin. In this intricate expedition through the labyrinth of the atmosphere’s shadowy corridors, we find ourselves entangled in an enigmatic web of mystery, with more questions than answers, as the enigmatic interactions of these elements continue to perplex and beguile.
Air Pollution in India
India, home to 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities worldwide, stands as one of the highly polluted nations. The State of Global Air 2020 report reveals that in 2019, air pollution claimed the lives of 1.67 million individuals in India, constituting 18% of the nation’s total fatalities. Furthermore, the economic toll of air pollution amounted to $36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36% of India’s GDP in the same year. Several factors contribute to the alarming levels of air pollution in India.
The swift growth of urban areas and the intensification of industrial activities have raised the need for energy and transportation. Consequently, there has been a proliferation of coal-fired power plants, factories, mines, and vehicles, releasing substantial quantities of pollutants into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the extensive adoption of biomass resources, like wood, crop residues, and animal dung, for culinary purposes and warmth, particularly in rural regions, contributes to approximately one-third of particulate matter (PM) pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This practice exposes millions of individuals, particularly women and children, to elevated levels of indoor air pollution.
Agricultural practices, particularly the burning of crop residues concentrated in states like Punjab and Haryana, generate substantial amounts of smoke and ash, significantly impacting air quality in neighboring areas such as Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Inadequate waste management, including the open incineration of garbage and landfill fires, releases noxious gases and particles into the atmosphere, posing a menacing hazard to the well-being and security of residents in close proximity.Moreover, natural occurrences like dust storms and wildfires, coupled with specific meteorological conditions such as low wind speeds, high humidity, and temperature inversion, have the capacity to confine pollutants close to ground level, further exacerbating the deteriorating state of air quality.
Delhi, renowned for its exceptionally high annual average PM 2.5 concentration of 98.6 µg/m3, surpasses the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m3 by nearly tenfold. Additionally, Delhi experiences severe smog episodes, particularly in the winter season, due to the combined effects of neighboring states’ crop burning, escalated utilization of biomass and coal for heating, and unfavorable weather conditions. Consequently, an alarming amalgamation of pollutants contaminates the air in the city.
Uttar Pradesh, home to 14 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the nation, as reported by the IQAir AirVisual 2019 World Air Quality Report7, also bears the unfortunate distinction of having the highest recorded number of deaths caused by air pollution in the country. In 2019 alone, the state witnessed a staggering 350,000 fatalities attributed to this environmental hazard4. The sources of air pollution in Uttar Pradesh are diverse and include industries, vehicles, power plants, brick kilns, biomass burning, and waste disposal.
Bihar, known for having four of the country’s top 10 most polluted cities, as reported by the IQAir AirVisual 2019 World Air Quality Report7, also experiences the second highest number of deaths caused by air pollution in the nation, with a staggering 197,000 fatalities in 2019. The state of Bihar is impacted by a combination of local and regional factors contributing to air pollution, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, power plants, agricultural and biomass burning, as well as dust storms.
In India, air pollution is an annual reiteration, primarily stemming from the insufficient enforcement of emissions control measures across various sources and the absence of a comprehensive, all-encompassing strategy to address the transboundary nature of this challenge.
Tackling the Air Pollution Crisis
Considering the enormity of the air pollution crisis, it’s worth contemplating some potential solutions to address this issue in India. By implementing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) with the goal of achieving a 20-30% reduction in PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations by 2024, compared to the 2017 levels, across 122 non-attainment cities, andthis will be achieved through city-specific action plans, robust monitoring networks, awareness campaigns, and capacity building. Simultaneously, promoting and funding clean and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro, while phasing out coal-fired power plants, which serve as the primary contributors to both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in India.
Besides, appropriate measures need to be taken to improve the public transportation system, encouraging the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, bicycles, and other eco-friendly modes of transport, and imposing stricter emission standards and fuel quality norms for the vehicles on the road. Additionally, to discourage the burning of crop residues, farmers can be encouraged to explore alternative methods such as utilizing the residues for bioenergy, composting, or mulching. Additionally, adopting conservation agriculture practices like no-till farming, crop rotation, and cover crops can also be helpful. Another approach is to improve the accessibility and affordability of clean cooking fuels and technologies like LPG, biogas, and improved cookstoves. This can help reduce the dependence on biomass, which is the primary source of household air pollution in India.
Furthermore, it is equally important to enhance the waste management system, encourage the sorting, reusing, and decomposing of waste, and prohibit the incineration of trash and landfill fires, which are the primary causes of hazardous pollutants like dioxins and furans in the atmosphere along withestablishing and executing clean air action plans at the state and regional levels that consider the sources and effects of air pollution throughout the airshed and require the collaboration and coordination of multiple stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals.
Way Forward
Air pollution poses a stealthy menace, imperiling the health of numerous individuals and the global environment. This issue, both in India and worldwide, demands immediate and resolute action to curtail the release of noxious pollutants and enhance the quality of the air we breathe. India must actively partake in international and regional endeavors and organizations, including the Paris Agreement, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and the World Health Organization.By engaging in these forums, India can foster the exchange of best practices, the sharing of vital data and information, the mobilization of resources, and the coordination of efforts aimed at tackling the shared challenges of air pollution and climate change. Furthermore, India should adopt and champion the adoption of cutting-edge, cost-effective technologies. These tools, such as satellite-based monitoring, low-cost sensors, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and blockchain, will empower the measurement, tracking, reporting, and verification of air pollution emissions and impacts. Additionally, they will furnish timely and precise feedback and guidance to policymakers and the general public.
In India, it is crucial to enhance the understanding and capabilities of various stakeholders, including government bodies, industries, civil society, and the general public, regarding the origins and repercussions of air pollution. It is imperative that these stakeholders not only comprehend the root causes but also adhere to pertinent policies, regulations, standards, and incentivizing mechanisms aimed at curtailing emissions and minimizing exposure to pollutants, ultimately leading to the enhancement of air quality. Furthermore, India should undertake additional measures, encompassing improved urban planning and design, the promotion of environmentally friendly and circular economic practices, bolstering environmental governance and accountability, and reinforcing research and development efforts. These actions will address the fundamental causes and drivers of air pollution while concurrently fostering sustainable and health-oriented development.
*President, India Water Foundation
