12 Jan Deteriorating Air Quality in India
This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the topic details of ‘Report of Respirer Living Sciences and Climate Trends about Particulate Matter Pollution in India’’. This topic is relevant in the “Environment” section of the UPSC CSE exam.
UPSC MAINS GS3 Syllabus : Environmental pollution and degradation
Why in the News?
Respirer Living Sciences and Climate Trends have just published a study which revealed that the vast majority of cities are far from India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) clean air targets.
Key highlights of the study
- PM 2.5 :
- Only 27 of the 49 cities having continuous PM2.5 data over five years demonstrated a decrease in PM2.5 levels, with only four cities meeting or exceeding the targeted fall as per National Clean Air Campaign (NCAP) Goals.
- The NCAP’s objective is to decrease aggregate particulate matter (PM) concentrations in 131 cities by 40% by 2026.
- The target was originally set for a 20-40% decrease by 2024, however it was subsequently postponed to 2026.
- Regional vulnerabilities :
- While some places, such as Varanasi, Agra, and Jodhpur, had large reductions in PM2.5 levels, others, such as Delhi, saw just moderate reductions (only 5.9%) or even increased pollution loads.
- Varanasi saw the most significant drop, with a 72% average fall in PM2.5 levels through a 69% decrease in PM10 levels between 2019 and 2023.
- Challenges while monitoring
- Annual pollutant concentrations are heavily influenced by the availability and deployment of permanent ambient air quality monitoring.
- However, many Indian cities do not have a sufficient number of such monitoring stations.While cities like Mumbai and Delhi have a number of such stations, other Indian cities only have a few.
- A mere four out of 92 cities possess more than ten stations of this type.
- Pollution Influencing Factors: Variability in levels of pollution can be related to geographical regions, various emission sources, meteorological impacts, and the interaction between emissions and Meteorology, all of which warrant more exploration.
What is National Clean Programme
- The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched it in January 2019.
- It is the nation’s first attempt to develop a national framework for air quality control with a time-bound reduction target.
- The NCAP’s objective is to decrease average particulate matter (PM) levels in 131 cities by 40% by 2026. The target was originally set for a 20-40% decrease by 2024, however it was subsequently pushed up to 2026.
- It applies to the 131 non-attainment cities listed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) : (a) Non-attainment cities have failed to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for more than five years. (b) NAAQs are ambient air quality standards based on numerous identified pollutant notifications made by the CPCB under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981. (c) Pollutants covered by NAAQS include PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, NH3, Ozone, Lead, Benzene, Benzo-Pyrene, Arsenic, and Nickel.
- PRANA (site for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities) is a monitoring site for NCAP implementation.
About Particulate Matter
- Particulate matter is an airborne combination of solid particles and droplets of liquid. Sulphates, nitrates, black carbon, particle-bounded water, elements (cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc), hydrocarbons, and biological components such as allergens and microbial chemicals are all Particulate matter.
- Different types of PM
- PM 10: Inhalable particles having sizes of fewer than 10 micrometres.
- PM 2.5: Inhalable fine particles with a diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 micrometres.
- Sources:
- Man-made causes is fromEmissions from power plants, factories, industries, incinerators, diesel generators, and autos, dust from building sites and unpaved roads, and garbage burning.
- Natural causes include volcanic eruptions, soil erosion, sea salt, and so on.
- Harmful effects :
- Respiratory disorders: Prolonged exposure can result in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchitis, chest getting tighter, and harm to the lungs.
- As per WHO, practically 3.7 million deaths occur prematurely each year as a result of outdoor air pollution, with respiratory illnesses and malignancies induced by PM exposure accounting for 20% of these deaths.
Initiatives Taken to Control Air Pollution?
- The National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) has identified four air pollutants for regular surveillance across the country: SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5.
- System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal
- The Air Quality Index (AQI) was created for eight pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, ammonia, lead, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide.
- To Reduce Vehicle Pollution: BS-VI Vehicles introduced, Electric Vehicle (EV) Push by government( FAME scheme, Production Linked Incentive scheme)
Way Forward :
- Transition to Clean Energy Sources: Promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.Transition away from fossil fuels by encouraging electric vehicles and investing in public transportation.
- Stringent Emission Standards:Implement and enforce strict emission standards for industries, vehicles, and power plants.Regularly update and improve emission standards to keep up with technological advancements.
- Cooperation spanning regional and national jurisdictional borders will assist in the implementation of cost-effective solutions to improve air quality control.
Conclusion
The report by Respirer Living Sciences and Climate Trends highlights the ongoing problem of air pollution in Indian cities, with many cities failing to fulfil the targets set by the National Clean Air Programme. To combat particulate matter pollution in susceptible cities, focused actions, improved monitoring infrastructure, and long-term development are required.
Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 12th Jan 2024
Prelims practice question
Q1) What is the primary mechanism by which PM affects human health?
- Direct contact with the skin
- Inhalation into the respiratory system
- Ingestion through contaminated food
- Absorption through the eyes
Answer: B
Q2) What is the size range of particles classified as PM2.5?
- Less than 2.5 micrometers
- Less than 25 micrometers
- Less than 2.5 millimeters
- Less than 0.25 micrometers
Answer: A
Mains practice Question
Q1) Discuss the contribution of manufacturing industries on particulate matter emissions. What steps may businesses take to lessen their environmental impact
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