The 2021 World Air Quality Report has recently been published, providing an extensive review of global air quality. The report, carried out by IQAir, a Swiss group specialising in air quality studies, is based on the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 in the atmosphere. The aim of the report is to increase awareness among governments, research institutes, Non-Government Organisations, companies, and individuals, encouraging them to work together towards improving air quality for healthier communities and cities.
The Importance and Need for the Report
Air pollution, considered the world’s most significant environmental health risk, accounts for around seven million deaths globally each year. It leads to a variety of diseases, including asthma, cancer, lung illnesses and heart disease. Air pollution has a daily economic cost estimated at USD 8 billion, representing 3-4% of the Gross World Product (GWP). Vulnerable populations, especially children under five, are most impacted by air pollution, with reports suggesting that 40,000 child deaths in 2021 were linked directly to PM2.5 air pollution.
How is PM 2.5 Measured and What are its Sources?
The report uses data from 6,475 cities across 117 global regions and territories. PM2.5 consists of fine aerosol particles measuring 2.5 microns or smaller. These tiny particles are mostly harmful to human health owing to their prevalence and range of health impacts. PM2.5-emitting sources include internal combustion engines, power plants, industrial processes, agricultural activities, construction works, and residential coal and wood burning.
The Current Air Quality Situation in India
In 2021, India saw an end to three years of improving air quality, with average PM2.5 levels rising to 58.1 µg/m³. These levels now mirror those recorded pre-quarantine in 2019. According to the report, India had 11 of the most polluted cities in Central and South Asia in 2021, with Mumbai recording a PM2.5 annual average of 46.4 micrograms/cubic metre – nearly nine times the World Health Organisation’s limit.
India’s Challenges in Combating Air Pollution
Air pollution severely impacts India’s public health, ranking as the second biggest risk factor for disease and costing over USD 150 billion annually. Major pollution sources include vehicle emissions, power generation, industrial waste, biomass combustion for cooking, construction work, and periodic crop burning. The National Clean Air Program (NCAP) was enacted by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in 2019 to help combat these issues. However, Covid-19 lockdowns and related economic downturn have made it challenging to determine the plan’s effectiveness.
Indian Initiatives for Controlling Air Pollution
Several measures have been implemented to tackle air pollution in India, including the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal and Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI tracks eight pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10. Other steps include implementing the Graded Response Action Plan, introducing BS-VI vehicles, promoting Electric Vehicles (EVs), implementing the odd-even policy and setting up a new commission for air quality management. Subsidies are also offered to farmers for purchasing Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machines to discourage crop burning.
Way Forward: Adhering to WHO’s 4 Pillar Strategy and Addressing Injustice
To make further progress in tackling air pollution, it is crucial to adhere to the World Health Organisation’s 4 Pillar Strategy. These pillars include expanding knowledge, monitoring and reporting, exerting global leadership and coordination, and strengthening institutional capacity. Additionally, enforcing the Polluter Pay principle and levying environmental taxes on polluting industries can help address the inequality in exposure to pollution. Poorer populations are often the most exposed to air pollution, highlighting the need for targeted policies to protect these communities.
