Central idea
Severe health consequences of air pollution cannot be mitigated by personal protection measures alone. Clean, public transport and rapid transition away from fossil fuels are needed.
Key Highlights:
- Air pollution in India, particularly in cities like Delhi, is significantly reducing life expectancy.
- A recent report estimates an average loss of 5.3 years of life expectancy in India due to air pollution.
- Delhi, one of the most polluted cities globally, faces an even worse scenario with an estimated life loss of 11.9 years.
Challenges:
- 39 out of 50 of the world’s most polluted cities are in India, impacting both urban and rural areas.
- Pollutants monitored include PM 10, PM 2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, ammonia, lead, benzene, formaldehyde, and cadmium.
- India’s air quality standards are less stringent than WHO standards, with concerns about health risks even at lower pollution levels.
Concerns:
- Prolonged exposure to air pollution, even at satisfactory Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, can have adverse health effects.
- Geographical factors, like the landlocked Indo-Gangetic plain, exacerbate pollution levels, especially during winters.
- Both outdoor and indoor sources contribute to air pollution, impacting various regions differently.
Analysis:
- Health harms range from acute effects like respiratory issues to severe conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
- Long-term exposure to air pollution is linked to hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, dementia, cataracts, and more.
- Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable, facing risks of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, low birth weight, and developmental issues.
Key Data:
- The WHO’s PM 2.5 limit is 5 microns, while India allows 40 microns.
- Delhi’s current AQI of 126 exceeds national and WHO standards.
- 22 states meet national AQI standards, but none meet WHO standards.
Key Terms:
- Particulate matter (PM 2.5) and ultra-fine particles.
- AQI categories: Good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor, and severe.
- Emission sources: line, point, area, and natural sources.
- Personal protection measures, including air purifiers, masks, and breathing exercises.
Way Forward:
- Urgent measures needed for clean transport, increased public transport usage, renewable energy adoption, and waste disposal improvements.
- Addressing household air pollution through alternative fuel use and better ventilation.
- Proactive public policy, enforcement, monitoring, and innovations required to combat air pollution and its health impacts.
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