Brian Barton
Kanpur, the largest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, is known for its thriving textile and leather industries. However, this industrialisation has come at a cost: Kanpur faces significant pollution issues, particularly in regard to air quality. The city's air pollution levels have been measured and analysed, with various sources of pollution identified, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and human activities. Kanpur's air quality index (AQI) readings have fluctuated, with a moderate AQI of 69 reported in July 2025, and a yearly average PM2.5 reading of 48.5 μg/m³ in 2019, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. These levels of air pollution can have notable health impacts, particularly for those with respiratory issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 3.5 million+ |
| Industry | Textile, leather |
| Pollutants | PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NOx, CO, VOCs, NO2, O3 |
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | 66-76 (Moderate) |
| PM2.5 AQI | 113 |
| PM10 AQI | 59 |
| NO2 AQI | 6 |
| SO2 AQI | 6 |
| O3 AQI | 22 |
| CO AQI | 7 |
| Overall AQI | Acceptable, but sensitive individuals may be affected |
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What You'll Learn
- Kanpur's air pollution is driven by its large population, vehicles, and industry
- Kanpur's water pollution is caused by industrial waste and poor management
- Kanpur's PM2.5 levels are high, with health risks for sensitive groups
- Kanpur's ozone, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide levels are also monitored
- Kanpur's air quality is acceptable for most, but sensitive groups may be affected
Kanpur's air pollution is driven by its large population, vehicles, and industry
Kanpur, the largest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, has a population of over 3.5 million people in its urban area. The city is known for its large textile and leather industries, which directly contribute to its air pollution levels. In addition, Kanpur's high population has led to a large number of vehicles on its roads, further exacerbating the city's air quality issues.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported on Kanpur's air quality, noting the presence of various pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO. These pollutants come from a range of sources, including vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Kanpur's annual average PM2.5 reading in 2019 was 48.5 μg/m³, which is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups." This reading placed Kanpur 46th out of all cities ranked in India for PM2.5 pollution, indicating significant pollution issues.
Vehicle emissions are a constant problem in Kanpur, as they are in many other cities around the world. The large population of Kanpur results in a high number of cars, motorbikes, buses, and lorries, all of which contribute to air pollution. In addition, the use of fossil fuels such as diesel in transportation and industrial sectors adds to the pollution levels. Fossil fuels are burned not only for transportation but also for energy in factories and the industrial sector.
Kanpur's industrial activities further contribute to air pollution. The city is home to numerous textile, chemical, and plastic-based production plants that release vast amounts of pollution. This includes not only the combustion of fossil fuels but also secondary emissions related to their products, such as plastic fumes and chemical waste that can contaminate both water and air. Kanpur's solid waste management issues have also been identified as a major cause of air, water, and waste management problems in the city.
While there have been some positive changes and improvements in Kanpur's air quality over the years, it continues to face significant pollution challenges due to its large population, high vehicle usage, and industrial activities. Sensitive groups, such as those with respiratory issues, may experience health effects from long-term exposure to Kanpur's air pollution.
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Kanpur's water pollution is caused by industrial waste and poor management
Kanpur, one of the largest industrial towns in North India, is home to nearly 800 industries. The city's industrial prowess has brought about significant social and economic benefits, but it has also led to severe environmental pollution. In addition to air pollution from smoke, dust, and pollutant gases, Kanpur's water bodies face immense contamination due to the discharge of industrial effluents.
The release of untreated sewage into Kanpur's water sources is a pressing issue. The city's sewage treatment capacity is inadequate, and many treatment plants are non-functional. As a result, a substantial volume of raw sewage ends up in rivers and lakes, rendering their water unfit for use without subsequent treatment. This situation places increased pressure on groundwater resources to meet the city's growing demand for water, leading to over-extraction and depletion of these reserves.
The industrial effluents released into Kanpur's water sources contain a cocktail of toxicants, including arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). These pollutants significantly alter the characteristics of water, affecting its staining ability, hardness, and salinity. The presence of oxidizing and reducing agents, such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and sulphate, further exacerbates the problem by causing oxygen depletion, foul odours, and promoting microbial growth.
The tanning industry in Kanpur, which utilizes chromium in the production of leather goods, is of particular concern. Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI), a waste product from this process, is highly toxic and has been linked to lung cancer, liver failure, kidney damage, and premature dementia. The settlement of Noraiakheda, home to 30,000 people, sits atop a plume of Cr VI-laden sludge from an old chemical plant that once served the tanneries. This sludge not only releases toxic chromium into the local river, subsoil, and groundwater but also emits harmful toxins into the air when it catches fire during hot summers.
To address Kanpur's water pollution crisis, a comprehensive approach is necessary. This includes improving the city's sewage treatment infrastructure, ensuring all industries properly manage and treat their wastewater, and implementing effective regulatory frameworks for water quantity and quality management. Collaborative action between various stakeholders is essential to mitigate the present and future risks associated with water supply and pollution in Kanpur.
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Kanpur's PM2.5 levels are high, with health risks for sensitive groups
Kanpur, one of the largest industrial towns in North India, has recorded high levels of PM2.5, a type of fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. In 2019, Kanpur's PM2.5 reading was 48.5 μg/m³, placing it in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category. This means that individuals with respiratory issues or other susceptibility to illness may experience more significant health impacts from Kanpur's air pollution.
The high levels of PM2.5 in Kanpur are influenced by several factors. As a centre for the textile and leather industries, Kanpur's air quality is impacted by pollution emissions directly linked to these sectors. Vehicle emissions also play a significant role, with a large number of vehicles contributing to pollution due to the use of fossil fuels such as diesel. Kanpur's industrial activities, including factories and production plants, further add to the pollution levels in the city.
The health risks associated with Kanpur's PM2.5 levels are a concern for sensitive groups, including people with respiratory conditions. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, throat irritation, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and persistent cough. To mitigate these risks, sensitive individuals are advised to limit their time spent outdoors when pollution levels are high and to consider using air purifiers indoors.
While Kanpur has made some positive changes, historical data shows higher PM2.5 readings. In 2017, Kanpur's PM2.5 average was 119.2 μg/m³, placing it in the 'unhealthy' bracket. However, it is important to note that Kanpur achieved a notable improvement in air quality in November 2019, with a PM2.5 reading of 1.2 μg/m³, meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target goal for clean air.
Real-time air quality monitoring in Kanpur provides fluctuating AQI (Air Quality Index) levels, ranging from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) operates a continuous air monitoring station (CAMS) and manual stations to track criteria pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2. These monitoring efforts help evaluate annual trends and provide data for health advisories and pollution mitigation strategies.
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Kanpur's ozone, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide levels are also monitored
Kanpur, the largest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the largest industrial towns in North India. It is renowned for its textile and leather industries, which directly contribute to the city's air pollution. Kanpur's air quality is monitored by various stations that track different pollutants. These include one continuous air monitoring station (CAMS) and eight manual stations that specifically monitor PM10, SO2, and NO2 levels.
Kanpur's ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels are also monitored. According to data from July 2025, Kanpur's ozone AQI was 22, carbon monoxide AQI was 7, and nitrogen dioxide AQI was 6. These levels indicate moderate air quality, but they may still be a concern for sensitive individuals, especially those with respiratory issues.
The city's air pollution is influenced by various factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and human activities. The combustion of fossil fuels, such as diesel and coal, contributes to the high levels of pollution, along with secondary emissions from plastic fumes and chemical waste. Kanpur's high population density, with approximately 3.5 to 4.5 million people in the metropolitan area, exacerbates the pollution problem.
In 2019, Kanpur made significant improvements, achieving a monthly PM2.5 reading that met the World Health Organization's (WHO) target for clean air. However, earlier in 2017, Kanpur's PM2.5 average was much higher, placing it in the 'unhealthy' bracket. The city's air quality continues to fluctuate, and while it may be acceptable for most individuals, sensitive groups, including those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, may experience symptoms even from moderate pollution levels.
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Kanpur's air quality is acceptable for most, but sensitive groups may be affected
Kanpur, the largest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the largest industrial towns in North India. It is famous for its involvement in the textile and leather industries. Kanpur's air quality is currently acceptable for most individuals, with a real-time AQI level of 69, which is "moderate." However, sensitive groups, including those with respiratory problems, may be affected by the levels of air pollution in Kanpur, and should limit their time spent outdoors if they experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation.
Kanpur's air pollution is influenced by various sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and human activities. The city has a high population density of approximately four and a half million people in the metropolitan area, contributing to a large number of vehicles on the road. In addition to transportation, Kanpur's industrial sector, including textile, chemical, and plastic-based production plants, also contributes to air pollution through the combustion of fossil fuels and secondary emissions from their products.
According to the World Air Quality Index, Kanpur's overall air quality index is 113, with a PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) AQI of 113, PM10 (respirable particulate matter) AQI of 59, NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) AQI of 6, SO2 (sulfur dioxide) AQI of 6, O3 (ozone) AQI of 22, and CO (carbon monoxide) AQI of 7. These readings indicate that Kanpur faces significant pollution issues, with a yearly average PM2.5 reading of 48.5 μg/m³ in 2019, placing it in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category.
Despite the moderate AQI levels, Kanpur has shown improvement in recent years. In November 2019, the city achieved the World Health Organization's (WHO) target goal for clean air, with a reading of 1.2 μg/m³ for PM2.5. This positive development demonstrates Kanpur's efforts to address its air pollution challenges.
To manage air pollution, Kanpur briefly implemented a public-private partnership system for solid waste management, which functioned successfully for about four years before differences between the government and the private company led to its breakdown. This breakdown is cited as one of the major causes of air, water, and solid waste management issues in the city.
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Frequently asked questions
Kanpur, India, is one of the largest industrial towns in North India, with a metropolitan population of around 4.5 million people. Kanpur's air quality index (AQI) is currently 69, which is considered moderate. However, Kanpur has faced significant pollution issues, with vehicle emissions, industrial production, and human activity all contributing to poor air quality.
Kanpur is known for its textile and leather industries, which directly contribute to pollution emissions. Vehicle emissions from cars, motorbikes, buses, and lorries are also a constant problem, with many still using fossil fuels such as diesel. In addition, factories and industrial sectors release pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels and secondary emissions from their products.
Kanpur's pollution levels can be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including those with respiratory issues. Black carbon, a component of soot from vehicle emissions, has prominent health effects when inhaled and can cause difficulty breathing and throat irritation.
Kanpur briefly implemented a public-private partnership for solid waste management, which showed initial success before breaking down due to differences between the government and the private company. Additionally, positive changes and improvements have been noted in recent years, with Kanpur meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target goal for clean air in November 2019.
Real-time air pollution data for Kanpur is available through various online sources and applications. Residents can use air quality monitors and purifiers, limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are high, and follow health advice based on current AQI levels to protect their health.
