Researchers from the University of Chicago and Harvard Kennedy School have developed a report titled ‘A Roadmap Towards Cleaning India’s Air’. The report presents five key policy recommendations for bettering air quality in India, which if implemented, could significantly increase life expectancy. A one year average increase could be seen if India met its own air pollution standards, while a boost to four years on an average can be expected if WHO standards are achieved. Encouragingly, it was found that innovations across India hold potential for substantial improvements, particularly in major cities like Delhi.
Understanding Air Quality Measures
Air quality evaluations depend on the number of small particles per cubic metre of air with potential to enter the bloodstream via lungs. More than 660 million Indians are currently living in areas beyond the country’s safety standard for exposure to fine particulate pollution (PM 2.5). A Greenpeace Environment Trust survey in January 2018 identified that out of 630 million surveyed, 550 million reside in regions where PM exceeds national standards, many even experiencing twice the permissible limit.
Air Pollution Costs and Health Impacts
The financial burden of ambient air pollution is estimated to be over $500 billion annually. However, the impact of air pollution extends beyond economics with vast effects on human health. It is considered the fourth leading fatal health risk globally, and poses threats like respiratory issues, lung tissue damage, cancer and premature deaths. Vulnerable groups include elderly individuals, children and those suffering from chronic lung disease or asthma.
Key Policy Recommendations
The report suggests certain strategies for tackling air pollution: making information about polluters public, supplying regulators with real-time data, refining emissions monitoring, implementing charges for excessive emissions and using markets to cut down abatement costs and pollution.
Understanding Particulate Matter (PM)
Particulate matter (PM) or particle pollution, comprises solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. These microscopic particles associated with lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and heart disease, include PM10 (inhalable particles smaller than 10 micrometers), and PM2.5 (fine inhalable particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers). PM results from complex atmospheric reactions of pollutants emitted from power plants, factories and vehicles or can be directly emitted from sources like construction sites, unpaved roads, smokestacks or fires.
Efforts to Mitigate Air Pollution
Several measures have been instituted to fight air pollution: introduction of unleaded petrol (1998), sulphur content reduction in diesel (2000), catalytic converters in cars (1995), decreased benzene content in fuels (2000), drafting of the Air Act (1981), and initiating the National Air Quality Index (AQI). The index includes eight pollutants— PM2.5, PM10, NH3, Pb, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone and carbon monoxide.
Interactions of Law and Pollution Control
The government and judiciary have also responded through initiatives such as the odd-even scheme, ban on certain vehicle registrations, green cess on commercial vehicles, ban on waste burning, ozone monitoring stations, affordable solar technology, improved transportation facilities, and treatment plants for industrial discharge and garbage.
Vehicle Identification Measures
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has accepted recommendations from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to use coloured hologram-based stickers on vehicles, indicating fuel type. Light blue stickers will be used for petrol and CNG-run vehicles, while orange ones represent diesel vehicles. This identification system aids local authorities to manage vehicular pollution based on the Air Quality Index of an area. It also provides the option to restrict use of higher polluting vehicles in congested or polluted zones temporarily or permanently.
