Kiera Jefferson
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 17 of the world's 30 cities with the worst air pollution. The air pollution in India is caused by a variety of factors, including industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, and the burning of crops and waste. India's high population density and rapid economic growth have also contributed to the country's pollution problem. Air pollution has severe health impacts on Indians, reducing life expectancy and causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The Indian government has implemented initiatives such as the National Clean Air Program to address the issue, but the private sector's engagement has been minimal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| India's rank in polluted countries | Second most polluted country in the world |
| Number of polluted cities in India | 17 out of the world's 30 most polluted cities are in India |
| Air quality in New Delhi | Poorest air quality among capital cities globally |
| Air pollution-related deaths in India | 2 million per year |
| India's rank in climate change-affected countries | 7th |
| India's contribution to global emissions | 7% of global emissions |
| India's per capita emissions | Less than the world average |
| India's rank in the climate change performance index | 8th out of 63 countries |
| India's coal-fired power plants | 246 plants, accounting for 60% of India's electricity production |
| India's premature deaths due to air pollution | 620,000 in 2010 |
| India's population exposed to unhealthy levels of PM 2.5 | 1.4 billion |
| India's cities with poor, very poor, or severe air quality | More than 60 |
| India's GDP increase with safe air quality levels in 2019 | $95 billion |
| India's National Clean Air Program target | Reduce particulate matter pollution by 40% by 2026 |
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What You'll Learn
India's air pollution and health
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with New Delhi being the most polluted capital city globally. India's air pollution is a major public health threat, causing around 2 million premature deaths annually. The main sources of air pollution in India include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, the burning of biomass, crop residue, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. These emissions contain harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, which have been linked to various adverse health effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The Indian government has implemented initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme to address air pollution and improve air quality. However, air pollution remains a significant issue, with 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities located in India, according to a WHO study. The high levels of air pollution in India have severe consequences, not only for public health but also for the economy, as it reduces productivity, increases healthcare expenditures, and impedes India's economic growth aspirations.
One of the main contributors to India's air pollution is the widespread use of solid fuels, such as wood, dung, and agricultural residues, for cooking and heating, particularly in rural areas. The burning of these fuels releases particulate matter and other harmful pollutants into the air, leading to indoor air pollution, which is estimated to cause 300,000 to 400,000 deaths in India annually, according to the World Health Organization. Additionally, the practice of crop residue burning in agriculture fields during autumn and spring, due to its affordability, contributes significantly to smoke, smog, and particulate pollution.
Furthermore, the transportation sector in India also plays a significant role in air pollution. The adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels, such as kerosene, is a common practice among taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to reduce costs. However, this results in increased emissions of harmful pollutants, including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, exacerbating urban air pollution. Additionally, traffic congestion in India's cities and towns further contributes to the high levels of air pollution.
The health impacts of air pollution in India are extensive. Long-term exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants has been linked to various diseases, including respiratory and cardiovascular conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and heart attacks. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study for 2010, outdoor air pollution was the fifth-largest killer in India, causing approximately 620,000 early deaths in 2010. Additionally, over two million children in Delhi have been found to have abnormalities in their lung function, highlighting the severe health consequences of air pollution on vulnerable populations.
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Vehicular emissions and fuel adulteration
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world. Out of the 100 most polluted cities, 65 are Indian, and 17 of the world's 30 most polluted cities are in India. India's air pollution is a crisis that has been decades in the making and is responsible for over 2 million deaths per year.
Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to India's poor air quality. In 2019, vehicular emissions accounted for 27% of India's air pollution. Remote sensing technology is now being used to measure vehicle emissions in real-time, rather than in laboratories.
Fuel adulteration is also a rampant problem in India. Financial incentives arising from differential taxes on different types of fuel are the primary cause of fuel adulteration. Gasoline carries a much higher tax than diesel, which is in turn taxed more than kerosene, which is meant to be used as a cooking fuel. As fuel prices rise, public transport drivers, often on low wages, cut costs by blending cheaper hydrocarbons into highly taxed ones. This blending can be as high as 20-30% or even 80-90% according to some sources. While this yields short-term savings for drivers, the long-term consequences for air quality and quality of life are ignored. Some adulterants increase emissions of harmful pollutants from vehicles, worsening urban air pollution.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that oil companies refuse to take responsibility for the quality of the fuel they sell, and the government has lax fuel quality standards that allow for some amount of adulteration. The government has also conceded that the adulteration mafia is powerful and that there are criminal elements involved.
India has taken steps to address its air pollution crisis. The Indian government launched an ambitious National Clean Air Program in 2019, targeting a 20-30% reduction in particulate matter pollution by 2024, and the target was subsequently revised to 40% by 2026. India is also focusing on renewable energy expansion, electric vehicle promotion, and providing LPG cooking fuel to households.
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Industrial emissions and construction dust
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 17 of the world's 30 most polluted cities. The Indian government has taken steps to address this issue, such as launching the National Clean Air Program, which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 40% by 2026. However, India's rapidly growing economy and industrialization have led to significant industrial emissions and construction dust, contributing to the country's poor air quality.
Industrial emissions are a major contributor to India's air pollution. Various sectors, including automotive, power plants, and small and medium-sized industries, release pollutants into the atmosphere. For instance, the automotive sector in India often uses adulterated fuel blends, which increase emissions of harmful pollutants. India's 246 coal-fired power plants, most of which are inefficient and highly polluting, account for 60% of the country's electricity production. Additionally, small and medium-sized industries, often unregulated, emit significant pollutants without consequences due to the government's reluctance to upset powerful vested interests.
Construction dust is another critical factor in India's air pollution, especially in cities like Delhi, the country's capital. The Indian construction industry, driven by the country's growing population and urbanization, has been criticized for its poor building standards and antiquated practices. Construction and demolition activities generate large amounts of dust and debris, which are strongly linked to heart disease and other respiratory issues. The lack of regulation and enforcement of environmental standards in the construction industry exacerbates the problem.
The combination of industrial emissions and construction dust has severe consequences for the health of Indians. Air pollution accounts for more than 2 million deaths per year in India, with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases being the leading causes. The particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in Delhi, for example, is nearly ten times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The Indian government has implemented regulations and fines to reduce construction dust, but the impact of these measures is yet to be fully realized.
To combat industrial emissions, India has advanced the date for stricter fuel and emission norms, aiming for cleaner vehicles. Additionally, the government has provided cooking gas cylinders to millions of poor households to reduce the use of highly polluting biomass cooking fuels. However, the high cost of gas refills has hindered the complete transition away from biomass burning. India is also expanding its renewable energy capacity, with renewable sources becoming the second-largest generator of electricity in the country.
In conclusion, India's industrialization and construction boom have resulted in significant industrial emissions and construction dust, severely impacting the country's air quality and the health of its citizens. While the Indian government and private sector are implementing measures to address these issues, more stringent regulations, improved building standards, and a faster transition to cleaner energy sources are necessary to mitigate the devastating effects of air pollution.
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Thermal power plants and electricity
India is the world's third-largest producer of electricity, with the electricity sector generating 1,949 TWh during the fiscal year 2023-24. Notably, 60% of the electricity produced in the country comes from thermal power plants, which primarily burn coal, oil, and natural gas. While these thermal power plants are crucial for India's energy security, they are also a significant source of pollution and adverse health effects.
Thermal power plants in India emit harmful pollutants such as nitrates, nitrous oxides (NOX), sulphates, sulphur oxides (SOX), particulate matter (PM), mercury, and heavy metals. These emissions contribute to air pollution, impacting the air quality not only during peak pollution periods like Diwali and stubble burning in October but also year-round. The health risks associated with exposure to these pollutants include neurological and renal disorders, endocrine disruption, cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular issues. It is estimated that by 2030, the total premature mortality attributable to pollution from coal power plants could increase by 2 to 3 times annually.
The inefficiency of India's thermal power plants exacerbates the problem. These plants emit 50-120% more CO2 per kWh produced compared to their European Union counterparts. Additionally, the high ash content in Indian coal, which is released into the air as fly ash, further contributes to environmental and health concerns. While some fly ash is utilised for cement manufacturing and road embankments, improper management of this waste in most states leads to pollution and health risks.
Recognising the environmental and health impacts of thermal power plants, India has committed to adopting a climate-friendly approach to economic development. The country aims to reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 from the 2005 level and achieve a 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. To achieve these goals, India plans to retire coal-based plants that are at least 25 years old and contributing excessive pollution, totalling 11,000 MW of capacity.
While India's electricity sector faces challenges in reducing pollution, the growth of renewable energy sources offers some optimism. Wealthier states in southern and western India have embraced renewable electricity, while hydroelectric power is prominent in the Himalayan north and northeast. Additionally, the recent coal crisis has highlighted the importance of transitioning to cleaner alternatives. However, as India's population becomes more affluent and consumes more energy, addressing the pollution burden of thermal power plants and the associated health risks remains a critical priority.
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Crop burning and cooking fuel
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 17 of the world's 30 most polluted cities. Delhi, the capital, is the most polluted capital city globally.
Crop burning and the use of wood and dung for cooking fuel are significant contributors to India's poor air quality. In the absence of adequate waste management practices, crop residue burning has become a major environmental problem, causing excessive particulate matter emissions and air pollution. This practice has been estimated to cause 44,000-98,000 premature deaths annually from 2003 to 2019, with six districts in Punjab alone contributing to 40% of India-wide annual air quality impacts from residue burning.
The Indian government has attempted to address this issue through initiatives such as the National Biogas and Manure Management Program, which promotes the use of biogas technologies for cooking and lighting. These initiatives fall under India's "waste to energy mission" and action plan on climate change.
Despite these efforts, crop residue burning remains widespread due to its role as a cheap alternative to mechanical tilling. The government has also implemented projects to educate the agricultural community about best practices in waste management and promote sustainable management methods, such as converting crop residue into energy.
In addition to crop burning, the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households contributes to indoor and outdoor air pollution. This practice, along with the burning of crop residues, accounts for 17% of India's particulate air pollution.
To summarize, crop burning and the use of solid cooking fuels are significant contributors to India's air pollution crisis, leading to severe health and environmental consequences. While the Indian government and various organizations have implemented initiatives to address these issues, more effective and widespread adoption of sustainable waste management practices is needed to curb the negative impacts on human health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, India is one of the world's most polluted countries.
The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating.
New Delhi is the most polluted city in India and the world.
Air pollution is a major health problem in India, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, and heart attacks. It also reduces the average Indian's life expectancy by 5.3 years.
The Indian government has launched initiatives such as the National Clean Air Program to reduce particulate matter pollution and improve air quality. Additionally, there is a growing focus on involving the private sector in finding solutions and implementing changes to address the country's pollution problem.
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