Delhi's Air Pollution: A Hazardous Reality

Delhi, India's capital, is one of the most polluted areas in the world. The air pollution in Delhi has been described as a gas chamber by the city's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, and it has consistently raised alarm bells among health experts. The high levels of pollution in Delhi are caused by a combination of factors, including vehicle emissions, construction industry fumes, the burning of crop stubble in neighbouring states, and the burning of coal and trash. The air pollution in Delhi has led to various emergency measures, including shutting down schools, limiting movement, and implementing an odd-even program for driving cars on alternating days. The Indian Medical Association and health experts have urged the Delhi government to address the problem and take immediate action to improve the air quality in the city.

Delhi's air pollution is at hazardous levels, with AQI readings of 400+

The crisis is caused by a combination of local and episodic pollution. Local pollution includes emissions from millions of cars, fumes from the construction industry, and the burning of coal and trash. Episodic pollution comes from winds carrying smoke from crop stubble burning in neighbouring states. The smoke from crop fires, combined with the heavier winter air, traps pollutants close to the ground, worsening the smog. Some also blame the use of firecrackers during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, for contributing to the poor air quality.

Delhi's air pollution has severe health impacts. Hospitals have reported an increasing number of asthma attacks, and citizens are complaining of breathing problems and burning eyes. The pollution is so bad that it is making residents ill and even causing them to relocate. The situation is especially dangerous for children, as the Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, acknowledged when he stated that the government "cannot compromise with the health of children".

To address the problem, the government has introduced emergency measures such as shutting down a coal-fired power plant and polluting brick kilns. An "odd-even" program has also been implemented, where cars can only be driven on alternating days of the week, depending on their license plate numbers. However, these measures have not been effective in significantly improving the air quality. The government has acknowledged that a long-term solution is needed, but it will take at least two years to implement.

The Indian Medical Association has appealed to the government to declare a public health emergency

In a letter to the Deputy Chief Minister, the IMA National President, Dr KK Aggarwal, and the Secretary General, Dr RN Tandon, emphasized the dangers of air pollution on children's health, stating that their lungs are still developing, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. They urged the government to take immediate action, such as stopping outdoor sports and other activities in schools, to protect the health of the children.

The air pollution in Delhi has been a persistent issue, with the city consistently ranked among the most polluted areas in the world. The crisis is exacerbated during the winter months, from October to January, when colder temperatures coincide with crop stubble burning in neighboring states. The smoke from these fires, combined with emissions from vehicles and the construction industry, gets trapped by the heavier winter air, worsening the smog.

To address the issue, officials have implemented measures such as limiting movement, shutting down schools, and ordering businesses and offices to operate at half capacity. Efforts to reduce pollution include sprinkling water to control air pollution and deploying mechanized sweeping to settle dust. However, the situation has reached a critical level, and the IMA's appeal for a public health emergency declaration underscores the urgency of implementing effective solutions to protect the health and well-being of Delhi's residents, especially its children.

The declaration of a public health emergency would enable the government to allocate additional resources, implement stricter measures to reduce pollution, and raise awareness about the health risks associated with air pollution. It is crucial that the government takes decisive action to address this crisis and safeguard the well-being of its citizens.

Schools have been closed, and people with breathing problems have been advised to stay inside

The air pollution in Delhi, India, has become so severe that authorities have taken drastic measures, including closing schools and advising individuals with respiratory issues to remain indoors. This decision was made in response to the hazardous levels of air pollution that have been consistently recorded in the city.

Delhi's air pollution has reached unprecedented levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings far exceeding safe thresholds. The AQI is a tool used by governments worldwide to assess and communicate air quality. According to the United States' AQI scale, Delhi's pollution levels reached 1,100, which falls into the "hazardous" category. This means that the air contains extremely high levels of unsafe particulate matter, primarily PM2.5, which can have significant health implications.

The decision to close schools was a necessary precaution to protect the health and well-being of students and staff. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia emphasised the importance of safeguarding children's health, stating, "The air quality in Delhi is deteriorating. We cannot compromise with the health of children at this stage." The closure of schools is intended to minimise the exposure of young people to the toxic air, which can have detrimental effects on their developing lungs and overall health.

In addition to closing schools, authorities have implemented other measures to mitigate the impact of air pollution. These include limiting movement, reducing business and office operations to half-capacity, banning non-essential construction work, and restricting the movement of non-essential trucks. These measures aim to reduce vehicle traffic and construction emissions, which are significant contributors to Delhi's air pollution.

The situation has also prompted health warnings, particularly for individuals with pre-existing breathing problems. People with respiratory conditions have been advised to stay indoors as much as possible to limit their exposure to the hazardous air. Hospitals have reported a rise in the number of asthma attacks and an increase in complaints related to breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

The air pollution in Delhi is a complex issue influenced by various factors. One significant contributor is the burning of crop stubble in neighbouring states, which coincides with the colder months from October to January. The smoke from these fires, combined with emissions from vehicles and construction, becomes trapped by the heavier winter air, leading to the formation of thick smog. Other factors include the burning of coal and trash, factory emissions, and the use of firecrackers during the Hindu festival of Diwali.

The government has introduced emergency measures, including shutting down a coal-fired power plant

Delhi's air pollution has reached hazardous levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recording a severe plus reading of 493—more than 30 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) limit. The crisis is attributed to various factors, including vehicle emissions, crop stubble burning in neighbouring states, construction industry fumes, and the burning of coal and trash.

In response to the dire situation, the government has implemented emergency measures to mitigate the impact of the hazardous air quality on its citizens. These measures include:

Shutting down a coal-fired power plant

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has highlighted the significant contribution of thermal power plants to Delhi's air pollution. Their study revealed that coal-fired power plants in the National Capital Region (NCR) emitted 281 kilotonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) between June 2022 and May 2023, far exceeding the emissions from stubble burning. The report urged policymakers to focus on year-round emitters like thermal power plants to achieve sustained improvements in air quality. As a result, the government has been prompted to address emissions from these power plants and consider the installation of flue gas desulfurisation systems to tackle SO₂ emissions.

Restricting construction activities

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi, which includes halting construction and demolition activities to curb dust pollution. This measure aims to reduce the amount of construction dust, which is a significant contributor to the toxic smog that envelops the city during the winter months.

Limiting movement and reducing vehicle traffic

State officials have restricted the movement of non-essential trucks and implemented stay-at-home orders to minimise vehicle traffic. This is crucial as vehicular emissions contribute significantly to Delhi's air pollution, and reducing traffic can help lower emissions and improve air quality.

Closing schools and implementing online learning

Authorities have ordered the closure of schools to protect the health of children, who are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Students have been advised to continue their education online to minimise their exposure to the hazardous outdoor air.

Reducing office capacity

Offices have been instructed to operate at half-capacity to reduce the number of commuters and overall vehicle emissions. This measure aims to decrease the concentration of pollutants in the air, especially during the peak hours of the workday.

These emergency measures demonstrate the government's recognition of the severity of Delhi's air pollution crisis and its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens. By targeting both seasonal and perennial sources of pollution, these interventions aim to bring about short-term relief and long-term improvements in Delhi's air quality.

The pollution is caused by a combination of crop burning, construction dust, vehicle emissions, and garbage fires

Delhi's air pollution is a complex issue caused by a combination of various factors, including crop burning, construction dust, vehicle emissions, and garbage fires. Each of these factors significantly contributes to the city's poor air quality, which has severe health implications for its residents.

Crop burning is a common practice in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where farmers burn agricultural waste after the harvest season. The smoke from these fires, especially during the crop-burning season from October to January, blows towards Delhi, trapping pollutants close to the ground and worsening the smog. In 2020, stubble burning accounted for 40% of Delhi's air pollution on a particularly bad day, with farmer leaders indicating that the practice would continue for at least ten more days until the Kharif crop harvest was complete.

Construction dust is another major contributor to Delhi's air pollution. The city's rapid urbanisation and lack of pollution controls in the construction industry result in high levels of dust and particulate matter in the air. Court-ordered restrictions on bus services have further exacerbated the problem by encouraging the purchase of private cars and the construction of additional roads. The Indian government has attempted to address this issue by regulating construction dust and banning diesel generators in 2020.

Vehicle emissions are a significant source of pollution in Delhi, with millions of cars, motorcycles, and buses emitting pollutants into the atmosphere. In 2018, India's Ministry of Earth Sciences attributed almost 41% of the city's air pollution to vehicular emissions. The problem is made worse by the lack of efficient public transportation, leading to a high number of private vehicles on the roads.

Garbage burning is also a constant issue in Delhi, with piles of waste being set alight daily in various parts of the city. The city's geography, being landlocked and devoid of coastal winds, further contributes to the problem by allowing toxic air to settle and stagnate. Delhi's four waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerators burn approximately 8,000 tons of unsegregated municipal solid waste every day, releasing a cocktail of pollutants, including harmful substances like dioxins, furans, and heavy metals.

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