Air Pollution In India: Industries Causing The Most Harm

India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities. The capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among global capital cities. The main causes of air pollution in India include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. India's rapid industrialization has led to a rise in factories and power plants, resulting in increased air pollution levels and deteriorating air quality. The health impacts of air pollution are severe, causing approximately 1.67 million deaths in 2019 and contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and other illnesses. Addressing air pollution in India requires a multifaceted approach, including improving fuel quality, implementing stricter emission standards, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Industrial emissions

India's rapid industrialization has led to a significant increase in air pollution levels and a deterioration in air quality. Industrial emissions, along with vehicle emissions, construction dust, and biomass burning, are the main contributors to India's poor air quality. Industrial air pollution is caused by factories, mines, and transportation systems that release harmful substances into the air. These pollutants have severe health implications, including respiratory diseases, cancers, decreased lung function, and asthma.

In 2019, India had 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities, with New Delhi, the capital, consistently ranking as the most polluted capital city globally. The concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) in New Delhi is nearly ten times higher than the World Health Organization's guidelines. PM2.5 is composed of various sources, including emissions from burning fossil fuels, biomass, windblown dust, and industrial plants.

Industrial activities in India release harmful pollutants such as ammonia (NH3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These emissions contribute to the formation of secondary PM2.5, which spreads over large geographic areas, affecting multiple states and cities. The impact of industrial emissions is not limited to the immediate vicinity of industrial townships but extends far beyond, affecting a wide range of people.

The health consequences of industrial emissions are severe. Long-term exposure to pollutants can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancers, decreased lung function, and an increased frequency of asthma attacks. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1.67 million deaths in India in 2019 were attributable to air pollution, causing economic losses of US$36.8 billion, or 1.36% of India's GDP.

To address the issue of industrial emissions, India has implemented various policies and programmes. The National Clean Air Programme aims to reduce particulate matter pollution, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna seeks to improve access to clean energy options for marginalized households. India is also focusing on expanding renewable energy, promoting electric vehicles, and supplying LPG cooking fuel to reduce pollution from vehicles and industrial sources.

Vehicular emissions

Fuel adulteration is also a significant issue in India. Some Indian taxis and auto-rickshaws run on adulterated fuel blends, as the adulteration yields short-term savings for low-wage drivers. Adulterated fuel increases tailpipe emissions of harmful pollutants, including hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Kerosene, in particular, results in higher levels of HC, CO, and PM emissions, even from catalyst-equipped cars. The higher sulfur level of kerosene is also an issue.

To address the issue of vehicular emissions, India has strengthened its vehicular emission standards in recent years. The country has also placed a strong emphasis on expanding renewable energy and promoting electric vehicles. The Indian Drive Cycle (IDC) was the first driving cycle formulated for vehicle testing and certification in India, but it did not cover all the complex driving conditions observed on Indian roads. As an improvement, the Modified Indian Drive Cycle (MIDC) was adopted, which is equivalent to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). However, the MIDC may still not adequately represent vehicular emissions during on-road conditions due to variations in traffic density, land-use patterns, road infrastructure, and poor traffic management. Real Driving Emissions (RDE) tests are being developed to overcome the limitations of laboratory tests and provide a more accurate representation of emissions during real-world driving conditions.

Construction dust and debris

A range of activities at construction sites generate high levels of dust emissions, increasing air pollution in and around the site. These activities include excavation, demolition, earth filling, material transportation, and vehicle movement on unpaved roads. Construction sites in Delhi, for example, generate an average of 5,000 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste every day, with only one plant to process it.

The health impacts of particulate pollution are severe. A study in Delhi estimated that at the observed PM levels in the city, there would be 7,350–16,200 premature deaths and 6 million asthma attacks per year. A Central Pollution Control Board study found that upper and lower respiratory symptoms were present in 23% of children in urban areas in Delhi.

To combat the issue of construction dust and debris, the Indian government has implemented several measures. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has introduced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi NCR to regulate air pollution levels. This plan targets high-polluting sectors, such as construction, and restricts their activity during periods of high pollution. For example, during the earlier stages of poor air quality, the government may enforce the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinklers, and dust suppression measures at construction sites. In the most severe stage, the government may impose blanket bans on all construction activities to improve air quality.

Furthermore, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has initiated a pilot study with Signature Global (India) Ltd at a construction site in Gurugram. This study involves monitoring the intensity of dust emissions from different construction activities and assessing the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Proper dust mitigation measures have proven successful at various construction sites in the Delhi NCR region. The Delhi government launched a web portal for construction project proponents to self-audit and upload their compliance reports fortnightly, allowing for easier monitoring and enforcement of dust control guidelines.

Thermal power plants

India's rapid industrialization has led to a sharp increase in air pollution levels and a deterioration of air quality. Industrial air pollution is a pressing issue, with factories, mines, and transportation releasing harmful substances into the air. Thermal power plants are a significant source of air pollution in India. These plants generate about 75% of India's electricity, and their emissions contribute to the country's poor air quality.

The impact of thermal power plant emissions on air quality and public health is significant. Air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians every year, with 1.67 million deaths attributed to air pollution in 2019 alone. The health impacts of air pollution also carry economic costs, with India losing US$36.8 billion, or 1.36% of its GDP, in 2019 due to premature deaths and morbidity caused by poor air quality.

To address the issue of air pollution from thermal power plants, India has taken several important steps. The government has strengthened vehicular and industrial emission standards, emphasizing the expansion of renewable energy sources and the promotion of electric vehicles. Additionally, India has supplied LPG cooking fuel to millions of households, reducing the use of biomass and fuelwood, which are major contributors to indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide poisoning.

While India has made progress in addressing air pollution from thermal power plants, more needs to be done to ensure effective emission controls, improve data transparency, and protect the health and well-being of its citizens from the harmful impacts of air pollution.

Fuel adulteration

India has 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world, according to a World Health Organization report. This is a primary public health concern, as well as a significant economic burden. Industrialization has rapidly increased in India in recent years, leading to rising air pollution levels and deteriorating air quality.

In India, traffic congestion is severe in cities and towns due to the increasing number of vehicles, lack of intra-city infrastructure, and poor enforcement of traffic laws. Congestion leads to lower average traffic speeds, causing vehicles to burn fuel inefficiently and pollute more per trip. The growth of the vehicle fleet and mileage has also led to an increase in emissions over time. Fuel adulteration exacerbates this problem by increasing the emissions of pollutants from vehicles.

To address the issue of fuel adulteration and its impact on air pollution, India needs to reevaluate its tax policies and fuel pricing regulations. Removing restrictions on fuel producers to set prices based on market demand could help reduce the economic incentives for fuel adulteration. Additionally, the development and implementation of new ambient air pollution control technologies, as well as standardized tools for data collection and analysis, can play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of fuel adulteration on air quality.

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