Helena Joyce
Mumbai, India, is witnessing a concerning rise in air pollution levels, with October being one of the most polluted months. The city's air quality index (AQI) reached over 300 in some suburbs, even surpassing Delhi's levels. This increase in pollution has led to a surge in respiratory complaints, especially among children. While the exact causes of this deterioration are not yet fully understood, ongoing construction projects, metro construction, high vehicle density, and climate change are believed to be contributing factors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution ranking in India | 37th most polluted city |
| Air pollution in 2018 | 162 µg/m3, three times the national standard and eight times the international standard |
| Causes | Traffic congestion, construction, power plants, climate change, wind stagnancy, moisture, metro construction, high density of private cars, wood burning, crematoria, cooking, open waste burning, industrial zones |
| Health impacts | Coughs, breathlessness, wheezing, colds, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer |
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What You'll Learn
Construction and demolition
Development projects, such as the metro, have caused dust pollution and significantly narrowed busy roads, including Dr. D N Road, known for its Art Deco buildings. Construction areas can be covered to prevent dust from escaping into the atmosphere, but this is not always done. The dust from these projects, combined with wind stagnancy and moisture in the city's atmosphere, traps dust and other particulate matter, leading to a decline in air quality.
The construction and demolition activities also contribute to traffic congestion, as they cause delays. As a result, vehicles often idle with their engines running, pumping exhaust gases into the atmosphere. The high density of private cars in Mumbai, with 600 cars per kilometre of road, further adds to the vehicular pollution problem.
The increase in construction projects and the subsequent rise in pollution levels have led to a surge in respiratory complaints, especially among children. The city has seen a 30% increase in children seeking medical attention for respiratory issues in just one month.
To address these issues, green vehicles that run on CNG and electricity can replace fossil fuel vehicles to reduce emissions. Additionally, promoting public transportation and encouraging private industries to relocate outside the city limits can help reduce traffic and improve air quality in Mumbai.
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Traffic congestion
One of the main causes of traffic congestion in Mumbai is the high density of private cars. The city has approximately 600 cars per kilometre of road, leading to a high volume of vehicular emissions. This high density of private cars is a result of the city's growing economy and increasing purchasing power among its residents.
The increase in the number of vehicles on the road has led to slower traffic movement and longer commute times. As a result, vehicles remain within the city limits for longer periods, continuously emitting pollutants. This problem is exacerbated by the poor condition of roads, which further reduces traffic speed. Delays caused by construction and demolition projects within the city also contribute to traffic congestion, as vehicles often stand idle with their engines running, pumping exhaust gases into the atmosphere.
The heavy-duty vehicles that run on diesel are a significant source of traffic-related air pollution in Mumbai. These vehicles, including trucks, buses, and older-model cars, emit high levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, which have been identified as the most critical pollutants affecting the health of Mumbai's residents. Nitrogen dioxide levels at monitoring stations in Mumbai have been recorded well over the WHO's safe limit of 40 µg/m³, with figures rising even higher in recent years.
To address traffic congestion and reduce vehicular emissions, there have been suggestions to promote public transportation and green vehicles. Encouraging the use of public transport, such as buses, trains, and metro systems, can help reduce the number of private cars on the road. Additionally, incentivizing the adoption of electric and CNG-powered vehicles can lower emissions from fossil fuel-based transportation. Traffic-related air pollution is a pressing issue that requires a combination of solutions to improve the air quality in Mumbai.
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Climate change
The impact of climate change on Mumbai's air quality was further evident in 2023, when the city experienced one of its most polluted Octobers despite the absence of the La Nina phenomenon. The "October Heat" phenomenon, with maximum temperatures reaching 36.4 degrees Celsius, coupled with the delayed monsoon retreat, contributed to the rise in pollution levels.
Additionally, some experts suggest that the tall buildings in Mumbai may create localized wind patterns that hinder the effectiveness of the sea breeze, potentially contributing to city-wide meteorological changes.
Furthermore, climate change can affect wind patterns, including wind stagnancy, which leads to the accumulation of dust and other particulate matter, further deteriorating the air quality in Mumbai.
The consequences of climate change and the resulting poor air quality in Mumbai are severe. There has been an increase in respiratory illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and bronchitis. The elderly, young people, and those with sensitive airways are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution. The economic burden of treating these health issues is also significant, costing millions of dollars.
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Industrial zones
The release of pollutants from industrial activities, such as emissions from factories and power plants, contributes to the overall degradation of air quality in Mumbai. Power plants alone account for 20% of the PM levels in the city. Additionally, the presence of industrial zones within residential areas further exacerbates the problem, as residents are directly exposed to the pollutants emitted by these industries.
To address this issue, there have been suggestions to relocate private industries to newly created industrial parks outside the city limits. By doing so, not only would the concentration of pollutants in the city decrease, but the number of vehicles travelling to and from these industrial areas would also reduce, further improving the air quality.
Moreover, the implementation of scrubber systems in industries has been proposed as a solution to absorb harmful particles from industrial exhaust gases. This technology can significantly reduce the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere, mitigating their impact on the air quality of Mumbai.
While industrial zones play a crucial role in the economy of Mumbai, it is essential to balance economic development with environmental sustainability. By implementing effective pollution control measures and promoting green initiatives, Mumbai can strive for cleaner air while still fostering industrial growth.
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Household pollution
The burning of wood in homes, bakeries, and crematoria, as well as cooking in homes, restaurants, and street stalls, are all sources of household pollution. These activities release particulate matter into the air, which can include harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
To combat household pollution, some solutions include the use of cleaner cooking fuels, such as electricity or CNG, and the implementation of scrubber systems to absorb harmful particles from indoor exhaust gases. Promoting the use of public transport and reducing vehicular emissions can also help to improve overall air quality in Mumbai, including the reduction of household pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of air pollution in Mumbai are traffic congestion, construction, and industrial emissions.
Traffic congestion, often caused by construction delays, leads to vehicles idling with their engines running, releasing exhaust gases into the atmosphere. The high density of private cars in Mumbai, with 600 cars per kilometre of road, also contributes to the problem.
Ongoing construction projects, particularly metro construction, release dust and pollutants into the air. In addition, construction often narrows busy roads, leading to increased traffic congestion and further emissions.
Continuous exposure to poor air quality in Mumbai can lead to respiratory issues such as bronchitis, coughs, breathlessness, and wheezing. It can also cause more serious chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Several measures can be taken to improve air quality in Mumbai, including:
- Covering construction areas to prevent dust from escaping into the atmosphere.
- Encouraging the use of green vehicles, such as those run on CNG and electricity, instead of fossil fuel vehicles.
- Increasing the green cover, which has been shown to reduce particulate matter in the atmosphere.
- Installing scrubber systems in industries to absorb harmful particles from industrial exhaust gases.
- Promoting public transport to reduce vehicular emissions.
