In a recent report by Swiss organization IQAir, it has been revealed that out of the top 30 cities globally with the most polluted air, 22 are located in India. The report, named the World Air Quality Report, collected PM2.5 data from 106 countries.
Understanding PM2.5
PM2.5 is an atmospheric particulate matter of diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, approximately 3% of the diameter of a human hair. It can cause respiratory issues, reduce visibility and disrupt endocrine functions affecting insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, thereby contributing to diabetes. These tiny particles can only be detected with an electron microscope and are often emitted from sources such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires. They also form in the atmosphere due to complex reactions of chemicals like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides; pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.
Global Air Pollution Rankings
As per the report, Delhi holds the dubious distinction of being the most polluted capital city in the world, followed by Dhaka (Bangladesh), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Kabul (Afghanistan), and Doha (Qatar). On a country basis, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India are the top three most polluted nations, while Puerto Rico, New Caledonia, and the US Virgin Islands are the least polluted. Hotan in China topped the list of the most polluted cities, with Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh in India following closely behind.
Air Quality in India
Despite these concerning figures, Delhi’s air quality saw a boost of about 15% from 2019 to 2020. However, Delhi still stands as the 10th most polluted city globally and the most polluted capital city. Other Indian cities like Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Bisrakh Jalalpur, Bhiwadi, Noida, Greater Noida, Kanpur and Lucknow also make it to the list of most polluted cities. In contrast, southern Indian cities recorded relatively better air quality than their northern counterparts. Major contributors to India’s air pollution include transportation, biomass burning for cooking, electricity generation, industry, construction, waste burning, and episodic agricultural burning.
COVID-19 and Its Impact on Air Quality
No discussion about 2020 would be complete without mentioning the global pandemic. COVID-19 raised new concerns as exposure to particle pollution was found to increase vulnerability to the virus and its impact on health. Early studies found that the proportion of COVID-19 deaths attributed to air pollution exposure ranged from 7% to 33%.
Delhi’s Air Pollution
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR and the Indo Gangetic Plains is a complex issue dependent on factors such as wind direction and speed, stubble burning, vehicle emissions, dust storms, temperature changes, firecracker usage, and construction activities and waste burning.
Measures Taken to Combat Air Pollution
Several measures have been undertaken to address the escalating pollution in India. These include providing subsidies to farmers for buying Turbo Happy Seeders to reduce stubble burning, pushing for electric vehicles and implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also developed the National AQI for public information.
Moving Forward
To successfully combat air pollution, active participation from citizens and strong political will are imperative. Greater transparency, public awareness, and setting public pollution targets are crucial steps. As breathing clean air is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen, prioritizing human health when addressing air pollution is paramount.
Source: IE
