Daily Hot Topic
Topic : Air Pollution and Mortality Rates in India
GS-3 Mains : Environment Conservation
Air Pollution and Mortality Rates in India
Air Pollution
- Contamination of indoor or outdoor environment by pollutants.
- Sources: Household combustion devices, vehicles, industries, forest fires.
- Major pollutants: PM2.5, Carbon Monoxide, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide.
- 99% of global population breathes air exceeding WHO guideline limits.
Recent Study
- First-of-its-kind multi-city analysis in India published in Lancet Planetary Health.
- Studied health effects of short-term exposure to air pollution.
- Analyzed 10 Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, Varanasi.
- Examined PM2.5 exposure and its impact on mortality rates.
Key Highlights
- Mortality:
- Delhi: Highest annual deaths (11.5%) attributed to air pollution despite high pollution levels.
- Bengaluru: 4.8% of deaths linked to air pollution with lower exposure compared to Delhi.
- Short-Term PM2.5 Exposure: Increased daily deaths across all cities.
- 1.42% rise in daily deaths per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 over two days.
- Risk and Pollution Levels:
- Mortality risk sharper at lower PM2.5 levels, plateauing at higher levels.
- Significant risks even below Indian standards (60 μg/m3).
- Comparison with International Studies: Varying mortality impacts per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 observed in other countries due to different baseline pollution levels.
- Epidemiological Insights:
- ‘Harvesting effect’: Sharper rise in mortality rates in cleaner cities compared to highly polluted ones.
- Vulnerable individuals susceptible at lower exposure levels.
Air Pollution Control Strategies in India
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by MoEFCC (Jan 2019): Aims to improve air quality in 131 cities.
- BS-VI fuel standards: Implemented from April 2018 (Delhi) and April 2020 (nationwide).
- Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT): Initiative for Compressed Biogas (CBG) production and use in vehicles.
- SO2 and NOx emission standards for Thermal Power Plants.
- Measures for Stubble Burning Control: Subsidy for crop residue management machinery and custom hiring centers.
- National Air Quality Index (AQI) launched in 2015: Provides daily air quality bulletins.
- Industry-specific discharge standards notified under Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Field teams deployed to monitor air pollution activities.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Implemented based on Air Quality Index categories.
Suggestions
- Air pollution is a major health and economic threat in India.
- Continuous air quality management is needed, requiring sustained focus and funding.
- Robust air pollution action plans at local and regional levels are crucial.
- Address both fixed and mobile pollution sources alongside dispersed sources.
- Regularly improve air quality standards and pollution control measures.
हिन्दी