Brian Barton
India's pollution problem is a serious issue, with the country ranking as the most polluted country in the world in 2018. The country's air pollution is a significant environmental concern, with 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world located in India in 2019. The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, thermal power dependence, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households. In 2019, India's pollution resulted in economic losses of up to $36.8 billion, impacting the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The government has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the issue, and the COVID-19 lockdowns provided a glimpse of improved air quality, highlighting the need for long-term solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Indian cities among the 30 most polluted cities in the world | 21 out of 30 |
| Year when the above data was recorded | 2019 |
| Number of Indians breathing air that is 10 times or more over the WHO safe limit | 140 million |
| India's rank in the world as a producer of greenhouse gases | 3 |
| Year when a study on non-smokers found that Indians have 30% weaker lung function than Europeans was conducted | 2013 |
| Year when the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed | 1981 |
| Year when the National Air Quality Index was launched | 2015 |
| Year when India launched 'The National Clean Air Programme' | 2019 |
| National target of the above programme | 20%-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024 |
| Number of deaths attributable to air pollution in India in 2019 | 1.67 million |
| Percentage of total deaths in the country that the above number accounted for | 17.8% |
| Number of hospitalisations due to air pollution in Delhi from 2022 to 2024 | Over 2 lakh |
| India's national average annual per capita consumption of fuel wood, agricultural waste and biomass cakes | 206 kilogram coal equivalent |
| Percentage of total domestic energy use in rural India that traditional fuel constitutes | 90% |
| Percentage of total domestic energy use in urban India that traditional fuel constitutes | 24% |
| Adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels | Common in South Asia, including India |
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What You'll Learn
- India's pollution levels are among the highest in the world
- Air pollution is the leading cause of premature deaths in India
- India's GDP is impacted by air pollution
- India's air pollution is caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction, and crop burning
- India's government has launched initiatives to combat air pollution
India's pollution levels are among the highest in the world
The main contributors to India's particulate air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating, especially in rural areas. In addition, India burns ten times more fuel wood annually than the United States, and the inefficient stoves used produce more smoke and air pollutants. Adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels is also common in India, increasing vehicle emissions and worsening urban air pollution.
India's pollution levels have severe health and economic impacts. Air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of about 2 million Indians annually, accounting for approximately 1.67 million deaths in 2019. The economic losses due to premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution were estimated at US$28.8 billion in 2019, equivalent to 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP). The high death and disease burden caused by air pollution, along with its substantial economic impact, poses a challenge to India's aspiration to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024.
To address these pressing issues, India has implemented various initiatives. The government set aside approximately $1.7 billion in 2020 to combat air pollution over five years for 42 Indian cities with populations exceeding one million. The National Clean Air Programme aims for a 20-30% reduction in PM 2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024. India is also transitioning to clean energy sources, with 60% of Delhi Metro's daytime energy requirements now met by solar power. The World Bank is supporting India's efforts by introducing tools for airshed management and planning to improve air quality at the state and regional levels.
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Air pollution is the leading cause of premature deaths in India
India's air pollution problem is a serious environmental issue. In 2019, 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India. A study based on 2016 data revealed that at least 140 million Indians breathe air that exceeds the WHO safe limit by ten times. India's particulate air pollution comes from industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. Industrial pollution accounts for 51% of the country's air pollution, while vehicles account for 27%, crop burning for 17%, and other sources for 5%.
Air pollution is a leading cause of premature deaths in India, with an estimated 1.67 million deaths attributed to it in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of all deaths in the country that year. This figure represents a significant increase from the estimated 620,000 premature deaths caused by air pollution in 2010. The majority of these deaths are due to ambient particulate matter pollution and household air pollution, with the death rate from the latter decreasing by 64.2% from 1990 to 2019. However, during the same period, the death rate from ambient particulate matter pollution increased by 115.3%, and the death rate from ambient ozone pollution increased by 139.2%. The high death toll is due to the harmful nature of pollutants, with PM2.5 being the most harmful. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to deadly illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
The health impacts of air pollution in India are significant, with the country having one of the highest numbers of COPD patients and COPD-related deaths globally. Additionally, air pollution is responsible for an increase in hospital visits, with higher concentrations of outdoor pollution particulates resulting in a 20-25% increase in emergency room visits for various conditions associated with higher pollution exposure. The economic impact of air pollution in India is also substantial, with an estimated loss of US$28.8 billion in 2019 due to premature deaths and morbidity, accounting for 1.36% of India's GDP. The total economic loss, including morbidity, was estimated at US$36.8 billion, impeding India's aspiration to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024.
To address the air pollution crisis, India launched the National Clean Air Programme in 2019, aiming for a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024. Other initiatives include the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometre-long and 5-kilometre-wide ecological corridor to combat pollution. India is also collaborating with the McKelvey School of Engineering of Washington University in St. Louis to study air pollution through the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the health and economic impacts of air pollution, which is endangering the lives and well-being of India's population.
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India's GDP is impacted by air pollution
India's air pollution levels are among the highest in the world, posing a significant threat to the country's health and economy. In 2019, India accounted for 1.67 million deaths attributable to air pollution, representing 17.8% of the total deaths in the country. The economic impact of this is substantial, with lost output from premature deaths and morbidity due to air pollution resulting in US$36.8 billion in economic losses, equivalent to 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP). This issue is particularly pronounced in low per-capita GDP states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where the adverse economic impacts of air pollution are more acutely felt.
The main sources of India's particulate air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, the use of thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the burning of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households. India's per capita consumption of fuel wood, agricultural waste, and biomass cakes is significant, with traditional fuel sources dominating domestic energy use in rural areas and contributing to air pollution. Additionally, India's vehicles and industries emit pollutants, while rural areas also experience biomass burning for cooking and warmth, resulting in a persistent haze.
The health consequences of air pollution further contribute to the economic burden. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to deadly illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease, leading to increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity due to absenteeism and sick leaves. In 2019, India could have gained up to 1.4 billion working days by reducing air pollution-related sick leaves, translating into $6 billion in higher revenues for businesses.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Indian government has taken steps to address air pollution. In 2020, approximately $1.7 billion was allocated to combat air pollution over the next five years for 42 Indian cities with populations exceeding one million. This performance-based funding program is contingent on these cities achieving a 15% annual reduction in air pollution levels. Additionally, India launched the National Clean Air Programme in 2019, aiming for a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024.
The successful reduction of air pollution in India is expected to have positive economic outcomes. Studies suggest that achieving safe air quality levels in 2019 could have increased India's GDP by $95 billion, or 3%, due to lower business costs and higher revenues. This improvement in air quality would also result in lower healthcare costs and higher productivity, further contributing to economic growth.
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India's air pollution is caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction, and crop burning
India's air pollution is a multifaceted issue, with a variety of factors contributing to the problem. One of the main causes is industrial emissions, which account for about 51% of the country's air pollution. These emissions come from power plants, factories, and other industrial sources. India's dependence on thermal power for electricity has led to high levels of emissions from power plants, contributing to the country's air pollution levels.
Another significant contributor to India's air pollution is vehicular emissions. With increasing traffic congestion in cities and towns, vehicles emit harmful pollutants such as hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). In addition, the adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels, common in South Asia, further increases emissions and worsens urban air pollution. Road travel and transportation account for a significant portion of fossil fuel emissions and particulate matter in cities like Mumbai.
Construction activities also play a role in India's air pollution. Construction dust and debris contribute to the particulate matter in the air, especially in urban areas. In Mumbai, construction dust accounts for 71% of the particulate matter in the air. The dust from construction sites, along with windblown dust from natural sources, roads, and industrial plants, contributes to the overall air pollution levels in the country.
Crop burning is another significant factor in India's air pollution, especially during the autumn and spring months. Farmers often burn crop residues as a cheaper alternative to mechanical tilling, releasing smoke, smog, and particulate pollution into the air. The particles created by crop burning can stay airborne for many days, impacting large areas and contributing to poor air quality during certain seasons. In addition, biomass burning, including the use of fuelwood, crop residues, and dung cakes for cooking and heating, is prevalent in rural areas, further adding to the air pollution levels.
The combination of these factors has led to India having some of the highest air pollution levels in the world. In 2019, 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities globally were in India. The air pollution in the country has severe health and economic impacts, contributing to premature deaths, diseases, and economic losses. India is taking steps to address this issue, such as strengthening emission standards, promoting renewable energy, and providing cleaner cooking fuel to households.
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India's government has launched initiatives to combat air pollution
India's pollution problem has been a serious issue for years. As per a study based on 2016 data, around 140 million people in India breathe air that exceeds the WHO safe limit by ten times or more. In 2019, India had 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world.
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to combat air pollution, recognising the severity of the problem. Here are some key initiatives:
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme with a tentative national target of a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison. This programme aims to tackle the country's high levels of particulate matter pollution, which have severe health and economic impacts.
Building Healthy Cities Project: As part of this community-led initiative, local volunteers in Indore were trained to be clean air guides. They maintained and interpreted air sensor data, educated the community, and supported advocacy efforts. This project empowered citizens to take an active role in improving air quality and raising awareness.
Strengthening Emission Standards: The Indian government has strengthened vehicular and industrial emission standards. By regulating emissions from vehicles and industries, which are major contributors to air pollution, India aims to reduce the concentration of harmful pollutants in the air.
Promoting Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles: India is emphasising the expansion of renewable energy sources and the promotion of electric vehicles. This dual approach helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decreases emissions from the transport sector, contributing to lower PM2.5 levels.
Supply of LPG Cooking Fuel: Millions of households in India are being provided with LPG cooking fuel. This initiative addresses the issue of biomass burning for cooking, which is prevalent in rural areas and contributes significantly to indoor and outdoor air pollution.
The Great Green Wall of Aravalli: This ambitious ecological corridor spans 1,600 kilometres from Gujarat to Delhi, with a width of 5 kilometres. The project involves planting 1.35 billion native trees over a decade, creating a green barrier to combat pollution.
Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility: In partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, IIT Bombay launched this facility to study air pollution in India. By enhancing understanding through research, India can develop more effective strategies to tackle air pollution.
India Lighthouse Initiative: This initiative brings together experts from India and worldwide to develop India-specific practices for effectively understanding, managing, and controlling air pollution. By leveraging state-of-the-art tools and global expertise, India aims to make significant progress in air quality management.
These initiatives demonstrate the Indian government's commitment to addressing air pollution. Through a combination of policy changes, community involvement, technological advancements, and international collaboration, India is striving to improve air quality and mitigate the health and economic consequences of pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world. All of India's 1.4 billion people are exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. In 2019, 1.67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in India, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country.
India's pollution problem has been a serious issue for many years. In 2018, India was declared the most polluted country on earth. However, the country has been struggling with poor air quality since at least 2013, when a study found that Indians had 30% weaker lung function than Europeans.
India's government has taken steps to address air pollution, including launching the National Clean Air Programme in 2019, with a tentative national target of a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024. India is also working with organisations like the Clean Air Fund to help achieve its clean air goals.
