Pollution's Threat To India: A Looming Crisis?

India is the world's second most polluted country, with 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world in 2019. The country's air pollution levels pose a significant threat to its people, economy, and environment. All of India's 1.4 billion people are exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, the most harmful pollutant, which causes deadly illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. The annual economic loss due to air pollution in India was estimated at $36.8 billion in 2019, with 1.67 million deaths attributed to it. India's pollution problem is caused by various factors, including industrial and vehicular emissions, construction, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. The government has implemented initiatives to address this issue, such as the National Clean Air Programme, but the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.

India's air pollution levels are among the highest in the world, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of PM2.5

India's air pollution levels are among the highest in the world, with all of its 1.4 billion citizens exposed to unhealthy levels of PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. This fine particulate matter, with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, is about one-thirtieth the width of a human hair. It is released from a variety of sources, including emissions from burning fossil fuels, biomass, windblown dust, construction sites, and industrial plants. The consequences of this pollution are dire, shortening the life expectancy of the average Indian by 5.3 years, causing 1.67 million deaths in 2019, and resulting in economic losses of $36.8 billion in the same year.

The impact of air pollution on India's population is severe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM2.5 concentrations. Delhi, the country's capital and most populous city, is one of the worst-affected areas, with air pollution reducing life expectancy by 11.9 years. Other cities with very high levels of PM2.5 pollutants include Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala, and Jodhpur.

The health effects of air pollution are far-reaching. Exposure to PM2.5 can cause deadly illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. In India, air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million people annually, with emissions from vehicles and industry being major contributors. Additionally, in rural areas, biomass burning for cooking and heating is a significant source of pollution. The Global Burden of Disease Study of 2017 estimated that 76.8% of Indians are exposed to higher ambient particulate matter over 40 μg/m3, which is above the national limit recommended by guidelines.

The economic costs of air pollution in India are also significant. In 2019, the country incurred economic losses of US$28.8 billion due to lost output from premature deaths and $8 billion from morbidity attributable to air pollution. This resulted in a total loss of $36.8 billion, which was 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP).

To address this pressing issue, the Indian government has implemented various measures. In 2019, they launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024. The government has also strengthened vehicular and industrial emission standards, promoted renewable energy and electric vehicles, and supplied LPG cooking fuel to millions of households. These efforts demonstrate India's commitment to tackling air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.

The health impacts of pollution in India are severe, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and resulting in significant economic losses

India's air pollution is a serious issue, with all of its 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. This has severe health impacts, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and resulting in significant economic losses.

Respiratory Issues

Air pollution in India has been linked to respiratory issues, particularly in children. A study in Delhi found that 32.1% of children in the city suffered from respiratory problems, compared to 18.2% of rural children. Respiratory symptoms were more prevalent in girls than in boys. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was also found to be higher during the winter and summer seasons, when air pollution levels are typically higher.

Cardiovascular Issues

Air pollution has also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Young people are especially vulnerable, with research indicating that air pollution can impact their heart rate and rhythm, leading to serious conditions.

Economic Losses

The health impacts of air pollution in India also result in significant economic losses. In 2019, lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution accounted for economic losses of US$36.8 billion, or 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP). Delhi had the highest per-capita economic loss due to air pollution, followed by Haryana.

Industrial pollution, vehicle emissions, crop burning, and the use of biomass for cooking are major contributors to India's poor air quality

India's poor air quality is a serious environmental issue. In 2019, 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India. A study based on 2016 data showed that at least 140 million people in India breathe air that is 10 times or more over the WHO safe limit. The main contributors to India's poor air quality are industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating.

Industrial Pollution

Industrial pollution is the largest contributor to India's poor air quality, accounting for 51% of the country's air pollution. This includes emissions from burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil, as well as biomass such as wood, charcoal, or crop residues. Over half of the PM 2.5 emissions in India are formed in the upper atmosphere when different types of gaseous pollutants from various sources mix. Agriculture, industry, power plants, households, and transport all contribute significantly to the formation of secondary PM 2.5.

Vehicle Emissions

Vehicle emissions are the second-largest contributor to India's poor air quality, accounting for 27% of the country's air pollution. In addition to emissions from vehicles, traffic congestion in India's cities and towns further exacerbates the problem. Slow-moving traffic due to congestion causes vehicles to burn fuel inefficiently and pollute more per trip. For example, at average trip speeds between 5 and 20 kilometres per hour, vehicles in India emit air pollutants up to 8 times more than they would with less traffic congestion.

Crop Burning

Crop burning, particularly in the autumn and spring months, is a major source of smoke, smog, and particulate pollution in India. Farmers often resort to burning crop residues as a cheaper alternative to mechanical tilling. This practice contributes to about 17% of India's air pollution. In addition to emissions, crop burning also leads to the depletion of the bacterial and fungal population in the soil, reducing its nitrogen and carbon potential and killing beneficial microflora and fauna.

Use of Biomass for Cooking

The use of biomass, such as fuelwood and dung cakes, for cooking and heating is a significant contributor to India's poor air quality, particularly in rural areas. About 48% of PM 2.5 emissions in India come from the use of biomass for cooking and heating. The carbon-containing gases released from biomass fuels are much more reactive than cleaner fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). As a result, the burning of biomass for cooking and heating is the primary reason for the near-permanent haze and smoke observed over rural and urban India.

Water pollution is also an issue, with rivers such as the Ganges and Yamuna threatened by climate change and human activity

Water pollution is a significant issue in India, with the Ganges and Yamuna rivers facing severe threats from climate change and human activity. The Ganges, the largest river in the Indian subcontinent, is a lifeline to hundreds of millions of people, but its water quality has deteriorated drastically. The river is now home to high levels of carcinogenic elements and microbial contamination, which pose a severe health risk to the population. The main sources of pollution in the Ganges include municipal sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff.

The situation is further exacerbated by religious activities, such as the disposal of corpses and cremation, as well as the use of the river for washing and watering animals. These activities introduce additional contaminants into the water, further degrading its quality. The impact of this pollution is evident in the high incidence of waterborne and enteric diseases among residents of the Ganges basin, including acute gastrointestinal disease and cholera.

The Yamuna River, another vital waterway in India, also faces significant pollution challenges. The river has historically been a crucial source of irrigation, fishing, and ritual practices. However, human activities, such as untreated sewage discharge and industrial waste, have severely contaminated the Yamuna. The river now carries high levels of toxic waste and untreated sewage, which pose risks to both human health and the environment.

Climate change further exacerbates the challenges faced by these rivers. Rising temperatures and retreating glaciers in the Himalayas threaten the flow rate of the Ganges and Yamuna, as well as other major rivers in the region. As a result, water scarcity and increased pollution concentrations are expected to intensify, posing even greater risks to the health and livelihoods of the millions who depend on these rivers.

India's government has implemented initiatives to address pollution, such as the National Clean Air Programme, but more needs to be done to enforce these measures effectively

India's toxic air is a severe environmental issue, with the country's air pollution levels being among the highest in the world. In 2019, 21 of the 30 most polluted cities globally were in India. The country's air pollution is caused by a range of factors, including industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, and the burning of waste, wood, and dung for cooking and heating.

The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to address the country's pollution problem, recognizing the urgent need for action. One key initiative is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019. The NCAP aims to improve air quality in 122 to 132 cities that fail to meet air pollution standards, with a focus on around 132 "non-attainment" cities. It provides a comprehensive framework for developing city-specific air quality management plans and encourages collaboration across local and national jurisdictions. The NCAP sets a time-bound goal for improving air quality, with a particular focus on reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, the most harmful pollutants to which all of India's 1.4 billion people are exposed. The government has also set aside about $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over the next five years for 42 Indian cities with million-plus populations, provided they reduce their air pollution levels by 15% every year.

In addition to the NCAP, the Indian government has implemented other initiatives to address pollution. For example, the government launched the National Air Quality Index in 2015, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Additionally, India has committed to reducing the number of households using solid fuel for cooking by 50%. The government has also set goals to clean up the transportation sector, upgrade fossil fuel combustion engine vehicles, and increase the number of electric-powered private vehicles. Furthermore, India is promoting renewable energy in all power plants and encouraging crop diversification to sustainable water-conserving crops.

While the Indian government has implemented these initiatives, more needs to be done to enforce these measures effectively. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, passed in 1981 to regulate air pollution, has failed due to poor enforcement of the rules. To address this issue, stronger enforcement mechanisms and better coordination across local and national jurisdictions are required. Additionally, individual cities cannot achieve substantial pollution reductions alone, and collaborative efforts between states are crucial to meet air quality targets cost-effectively.

Frequently asked questions