Mumbai's Pollution Plight: Impact And Concerns

Mumbai, India's financial capital, is facing a severe air pollution crisis, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently crossing the 300-mark, leading to a rise in respiratory issues, especially among children. The causes of this pollution are multi-faceted, including ongoing construction, metro work, vehicular emissions, climate change, and photochemical reactions. The city's proximity to the sea, which once helped dissipate pollutants, now seems insufficient to combat the rising pollution levels. Experts are also exploring whether high-rises may be obstructing sea breezes, further contributing to the problem.

Mumbai's pollution crisis is not limited to a particular season or month, with the city witnessing one of its most polluted Octobers in 2023. The situation is further exacerbated by the high density of vehicles in the city, with an estimated 12 lakh private cars, resulting in slow-moving traffic and prolonged exposure to exhaust gases.

The health impacts of air pollution in Mumbai are significant, with respiratory ailments on the rise. Cardiac surgeons report an alarming increase in black lung patches, even in non-smokers, underscoring the pervasiveness of air pollution's impact. The economic cost is also substantial, with an estimated US$2.9 billion in losses and 20,000 fatalities attributed to ambient air pollution in 2020-2021.

To address this crisis, the Indian authorities have launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce pollution in 102 cities, including Mumbai. The programme focuses on cutting industrial and vehicle emissions, reducing dust pollution, and imposing restrictions on biofuel use. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, and the challenge of reducing air pollution in Mumbai persists.

The effects of air pollution on the health of Mumbai's residents

Air pollution in Mumbai is a pressing issue that has been linked to a range of negative health outcomes for the city's residents. The sources of this pollution are diverse and include traffic emissions, construction operations, road dust, landfills, open rubbish burning, and industrial emissions. The high levels of air pollution have resulted in an increase in respiratory complaints, especially among children, with reports of rising respiratory ailments and a 30% increase in children presenting with respiratory issues over a one-month period.

Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are the most critical pollutants, with the greatest impact on health. Exposure to these pollutants has been linked to a range of respiratory issues, including coughs, breathlessness, wheezing, colds, and more severe conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and allergic rhinitis. The financial burden of these health issues is also significant, estimated at US$113.08 million for a 50-μg/m3 increase in PM10, and INR 8723.59 million (US$218.10 million) for a similar increase in NO2.

The impact of air pollution on health is particularly acute for vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals, informal communities, migrant labourers, and outdoor workers, who are most exposed to the harmful effects of ambient air pollution. The density of the city, with its high population per square kilometre, further exacerbates the problem, as toxic air in one area can affect a large number of people.

To address these health concerns, the Indian authorities launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, aiming to reduce pollution in 102 of the most polluted cities, including Mumbai. The programme focuses on cutting industrial and vehicle emissions, reducing pollution from dust and other particulate matter, and imposing restrictions on the use of biofuels and biomass burning. While this is a step in the right direction, the NCAP has no legal status, and local governments' compliance is voluntary.

In conclusion, the effects of air pollution on the health of Mumbai's residents are far-reaching, contributing to a range of respiratory issues and more severe health conditions. Addressing this issue is crucial to protect the well-being of the city's residents, particularly vulnerable populations. The success of initiatives like the NCAP will be vital in reducing the health burden of air pollution in Mumbai.

The sources of Mumbai's air pollution

Mumbai's air pollution is largely caused by traffic and construction. 29% of the airborne particulate matter comes from road and construction dust, with a further 20% added by power plants. The main source of traffic contamination is heavy-duty vehicles that run on diesel.

Traffic congestion is caused by the construction and demolition of buildings within the city. This results in vehicles standing idle with their engines running, pumping exhaust gases into the atmosphere. Poor road conditions also mean that traffic moves slowly and stays within the city limits for longer than necessary.

In 2019, the number of registered vehicles in Mumbai rose by 9.9% to a total of approximately 3.5 million. The areas with the poorest Air Quality Index (AQI) scores have the largest number of registered vehicles.

The Maharashtra state government's pollution mitigation plans have been criticised for ignoring major sources of pollution from industry and automobiles.

The economic impact of air pollution in Mumbai

Air pollution in Mumbai, India, has had a significant economic impact on the city and its residents in recent years. The financial burden of health issues caused by poor air quality is estimated to be substantial, and the city's economic productivity is also affected.

Health Costs

Mumbai's air pollution has been estimated to cause 20,000 fatalities and US$2.9 billion in losses in 2020-2021 by a Swiss air quality organisation, IQAir. The high levels of particulate matter, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide, NO2, in the city's air are mainly responsible for these health issues. The financial health burden is estimated to be US$113.08 million for a 50-μg/m3 increase in PM10 and US$218.10 million for a similar increase in NO2 levels. These costs are expected to rise as pollution levels continue to impact the health of Mumbai's residents.

Loss of Productivity

The productivity of Mumbai's workforce is also affected by air pollution. The impact is more significant on low-income people, informal communities, migrant labourers, and outdoor workers, who are most exposed to ambient air pollution. The reduced productivity of these workers can have a knock-on effect on the city's economy, particularly in industries that rely on manual labour.

Tourism and Business

Mumbai's air pollution may also impact its attractiveness as a business and tourist destination. The negative health consequences of spending time in the city may deter visitors and potential investors, who could choose less polluted locations. This could result in lost revenue for the city and a slowdown in economic growth.

Government Expenditure

The government has also incurred costs in an attempt to mitigate the effects of air pollution. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to reduce pollution in 102 of India's most polluted cities, including Mumbai. While this programme is voluntary for local governments, it demonstrates a commitment to improving air quality. The installation of more monitoring stations to provide accurate data is one example of government expenditure aimed at tackling the issue.

Impact on Public Services

The high levels of air pollution in Mumbai also put a strain on public services, particularly in the healthcare sector. The treatment of respiratory illnesses and other health issues caused by air pollution requires additional resources and places pressure on the city's healthcare infrastructure. This can result in increased waiting times and a decrease in the quality of care for all residents, impacting the city's overall productivity and well-being.

In conclusion, the economic impact of air pollution in Mumbai is significant and far-reaching. The costs associated with health issues, loss of productivity, and government intervention measures are substantial, and the city's reputation and attractiveness to businesses and tourists may also be affected. Addressing air pollution is crucial to mitigate these economic consequences and improve the well-being of Mumbai's residents.

The measures being taken to reduce air pollution in Mumbai

Mumbai's air pollution is mainly caused by traffic and construction. To tackle this, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has implemented a seven-step strategy under the 'Clean Air Mumbai' initiative. Here are the measures being taken to reduce air pollution in Mumbai:

Sustainable and Clean Construction and Demolition

• Guidelines for builders to reduce dust from construction sites, such as providing dust screens and sprinkling water on these screens and open spaces.
• Washing the tyres of all vehicles exiting construction sites and covering vehicles transporting debris or construction materials.
• Using debris chutes during construction and obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants.

Road Dust Reduction Measures

• Using mechanical/e-power sweepers for dust cleaning and procuring sprinklers to settle dust on roads and footpaths.
• Deploying vehicle-mounted misting equipment and air purification units, as well as ionisation-based air purification systems for dust mitigation.

Sustainable and Clean Transport Measures

• Electrifying BMC vehicles and providing charging infrastructure.
• Procuring 3000 electric BEST buses and converting old BMC diesel/petrol vehicles into CNG vehicles.
• Upgrading Adaptive Traffic Control systems at 258 junctions and studying their impact on traffic flow and pollution, with plans to expand to the remaining 395 junctions.

Sustainable Waste Management Measures

• Promoting communication and awareness for sustainable waste segregation in households.
• Monitoring and enforcing a ban on waste burning.
• Constructing a 'Waste to Energy' plant with a capacity of 600 tonnes per day (TPD) at the Deonar dumping ground.
• Biomining of legacy waste at Deonar dumping ground and installing domestic hazardous waste processing units at eight locations.

Ecologically Sustainable Urban Greening Projects

• Planting 1 lakh trees using ecologically sustainable planting practices at various sites, including the Marol Industries Association urban forest, Sahityasamrat Annabhau Sathe Udyan, Mahakali Caves urban forest, Swami Vivekanand Udyan, Bharat Van Udyan, and along high-pollution roads to create green buffers.
• Adopting sustainable micro-greening guidelines to educate citizens about native species and planting methods.

Effective Monitoring

• Installing Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and conducting ward-level assessments of emissions under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) with support from partner institutions.
• Commencing hotspot monitoring and creating a Clean Air Coordination Committee with quarterly meetings.
• Appointing consultants to coordinate with refineries, power plants, and other pollution-emitting companies, as well as coordinating with the BMC's climate cell and aligning with the climate budget.

Communication and Awareness Campaigns

• Partnering with mainstream media to run air pollution awareness campaigns and forming eco-clubs in schools and colleges to promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
• Collaborating with NGOs in promoting and conserving the environment and training sanitation workers for better road dust cleaning practices.
• Issuing Public Health Advisories for citizens on days when air quality worsens, similar to warnings issued on heavy rain days.

The challenges faced in tackling Mumbai's air pollution problem

Mumbai, India's financial capital, has been grappling with deteriorating air quality, which has led to a rise in respiratory issues, especially among children. While the causes of this pollution are multifaceted, a combination of vehicular pollution, construction activities, climate change, and photochemical reactions have been identified as key contributors.

Vehicular Pollution

Mumbai has the highest car density in India, with 600 cars per kilometre of road. The large number of private cars, estimated at 12 lakh, leads to traffic congestion, with vehicles often crawling in traffic, spewing particulate matter into the air. The primary source of traffic contamination comes from heavy-duty vehicles that run on diesel. The slow-moving traffic is further exacerbated by ongoing construction and the demolition of buildings within the city, causing delays and keeping vehicles idle with their engines running.

Construction Activities

The rapid population growth in Mumbai has led to rampant realty and road construction activities, which account for over 71% of the particulate matter in the city's air, up from 28% in 2010. This construction boom is estimated to cover five times the area of Nariman Point, the city's landmark commercial area. Green activists also blame the metro construction for reducing busy roads to almost half their original width, further contributing to traffic congestion and pollution.

Climate Change

Climate change has played a role in worsening air quality, with experts tracing high levels of particulate matter to specific climate patterns. In 2022, the La Nina phenomenon, which caused an abnormal drop in surface temperature over the Pacific Ocean, severely affected the speed of coastal winds around Mumbai, hindering the dispersal of pollutants.

Photochemical Reactions

Photochemical reactions, triggered by heat, have been identified as a major contributor to air pollution and smog in the past three years. These reactions, involving nitrogen oxides and free radicals of oxygen, lead to the creation of ozone, an abrasive and corrosive gas.

Other Factors

Other factors contributing to Mumbai's air pollution include the burning of waste products, a poor transportation planning system, industrial units in residential areas, and the use of solid cooking fuels.

Challenges and Potential Solutions

Mumbai faces several challenges in tackling its air pollution problem, and a multi-pronged approach is necessary to mitigate this complex issue:

• Traffic and Industry Emissions: Road travel accounts for 80% of Mumbai's fossil fuel emissions. Implementing a scrappage policy for older vehicles and encouraging the use of cleaner fuels, non-motorised transport, and electric vehicles can help reduce emissions. Industries, especially the power sector, should also shift to cleaner fuel by phasing out older power plants and treating their emissions.
• Construction Operations: Stringent enforcement of the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, is necessary to ensure a safe and effective construction waste disposal system. Construction sites should also have specific Air Quality Monitoring Plans to spread information about bad air quality.
• Waste Burning: Dumping grounds and the burning of waste are significant issues in Mumbai. Developing ward-level action plans to prevent open-waste burning and improving waste management education are crucial.
• Air Quality Monitoring and Data Dissemination: Regular and robust air quality monitoring is essential, with real-time updates about critical air pockets, sources of pollution, and health information. Quick and effective data dissemination will facilitate analysis and policymaking.
• Emission Norms for Industrial Sectors: Emission norms for industrial sectors should be tightened, and both factories and vehicles should aim to use low-emission fuel.
• Inclusivity and Stakeholder Involvement: It is crucial to involve citizens, stakeholders, and experts in decision-making processes. The government can form committees under the National Clean Air Program Mumbai Clean Air Action Plan to ensure inclusive governance.

By addressing these challenges and implementing a range of solutions, Mumbai can work towards reducing its air pollution levels and improving the health and well-being of its residents.

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