Tackling Air Pollution
By: Priyanka Saurabh
Fireworks on Diwali have spoiled the climate of many cities. The situation has become such that the AQI level of Delhi-NCR has become about ten times worse than normal. Due to the burning of firecrackers in the sky, the pollution level has suddenly become alarming. It is being said that the effect of this will be that in the coming days the air of the capital will become even more toxic. Cold is also one of the reasons for air pollution because we see that in rural areas, stubble, wood, etc. are burnt to avoid cold, which is also responsible for global warming.
It is clear that the problem of air pollution has grown very seriously and its intensity and severity have increased over the years. In many places, there is no proper system to measure air quality. The main component of the pollutants is a particulate matter which violates the standard prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The CPCB standards are well above international WHO standards. Standards are violated for a long time. There are thermal power plants around Delhi and the polluted air travels to the neighboring cities. Many industries are using high-sulfur oil which is highly polluted. There are huge mounds of solid waste. Seasonal farmers in Punjab and Haryana burn their crop residues to prepare their fields for the next crop and during winter the air becomes heavy, the temperature is inverted and the spread of pollutants is very low. it happens.
During winter we also see people lighting fires at night to bear the cold. All of this combined has a cumulative effect on air quality. The push towards renewable energy is time-consuming and costly. There are two major sources of particulate matter in construction and demolition environments. Much of the vegetation has been destroyed, deforestation is taking place and soil erosion is a source of particulate matter pollution. Poor air quality tells you that the administration is not right. This is a huge problem and is increasing geographically every year. According to the air quality data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world.
Particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 in Delhi exceed the more stringent limits of national standards and the World Health Organization. Delhi needs a cut of 65% to meet the national standards of PM2.5. Delhi’s toxic air also contains high doses of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Lack of air worsens the pollutant concentration. The Ministry of Earth Sciences published a research paper in October 2018 which attributed about 41% of vehicular emissions, 21.5% to dust, and 18% to industries. Vehicle emissions testing is only 25%. According to WHO, India has the highest mortality rate from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma in the world. Air pollution also affects the environment through low visibility, acid rain, and the build-up of ozone at the troposphere level.
A large number of deaths (about 2000) are due to pollution which is very frightening. The figures may not be accurate as they are only estimates. Finding out accurate data requires a serious investigation for which neither manpower nor time and resources are available. So we need to take precautionary steps to deal with pollution. India has recorded a 50% increase in PM 2.5-related premature deaths and this roughly coincides with economic liberalization between 1990 and 2015. Air quality has become a serious health problem as the pollutants penetrate deep inside the lungs and the ability of the lungs to purify the blood is reduced which affects the growth, the mental capacity of a person and especially in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Affects the ability to work. Poor people are more vulnerable to air pollution as they spend more time on the roads.
Measures to improve air quality include improving public transport, limiting the number of polluting vehicles on the road, less polluting fuels, stricter emission regulations, better efficiency for thermal power plants and industries, moving from diesel generators to rooftop solar, Increasing the use of clean renewable energy, electric vehicles, dust removal from roads, regulation of construction activities, prevention of burning of biomass, etc. To thoroughly review various laws and institutions to see their effectiveness and utility, all concerned stakeholders, Take detailed consultations, especially with people from outside Delhi, including farmer groups and small-scale industries, and the public at large.
Draft a bill and it should be put up for public comment.
Members of the Air Quality Management Commission in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas met and reviewed the air quality scenario in the region. The Commission also felt that active public participation is important in reducing air pollution and the use of personal transport should be minimized as far as possible with the identification of key urgent measures, restricting travel unless necessary, home Encouraging work from the public, strict enforcement of laws and regulations regarding dust control measures including construction sites, strict enforcement to prevent burning of municipal solid waste and biomass, intensify sprinkling of water, especially in dust prone areas, pollution Use of anti-smog guns at hotspots, especially at construction sites
Strict enforcement of existing rules and orders of courts and tribunals regarding stubbles can be helpful.
The writer is Research Scholar in Political Science, Poet, freelance journalist, and columnist
