Air Pollution Crisis In China And India: Why?

Air pollution is a severe issue in India and China, threatening the health of over one-third of the global population. The two countries have different approaches to tackling the problem: China has implemented pollution control initiatives such as setting up city-specific targets for air quality and requiring companies to complete environmental impact assessments, while India's policies have been largely ineffective due to a division of power among central and state governments. India has 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM2.5 concentrations, with vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, thermal power plants, construction dust, waste burning, and the use of cheap and dirty fuels contributing to the issue. China, on the other hand, has lowered average pollution levels by 42.3% between 2013 and 2021, but it still has a long way to go as pollution levels remain six times higher than the WHO guideline.

Industrial pollution and thermal power plants

India and China are two of the world's most populous nations, seeking to move their masses from poverty to wealth via industrialization. Environmental deterioration has long been the collateral damage of this process, as already experienced by most developed economies. However, India and China's pollution problems are unique due to their size and population.

In 2015, 1.81 million or 28% of the 6.5 million air-pollution-linked deaths worldwide occurred in India. China saw 1.58 million deaths. The majority of these deaths are due to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, respiratory tract diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, and thermal power plants are major contributors to bad air quality.

Thermal power plants are point-sources of pollution, so we can actively control their emissions. This is why emission standards are important. Coal-based power plants generate about 75% of India's electricity. The main emissions from coal-based power plants that contribute to air pollution include sulphates, nitrates, mercury, and secondary particulate matter. Coal, fly ash, and secondary particles from thermal power plants and industries in Delhi contribute 35% of PM2.5 in the winter and 41% of PM2.5 in the summer. The capacity of coal-based power is predicted to increase from 205 GW in 2020 to 266 GW in 2030, indicating that it will continue to play a significant part in India's energy security.

In China, coal-fired power plants and steel factories have been targeted with restrictions and fines. China woke up to its pollution problem several years ago, with the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing dragging the country's dirty air into the headlines. Since then, China has implemented pollution control initiatives ranging from setting up city-specific targets for air quality progress and requiring companies to complete environmental impact assessments.

Overall, the pollution problems in India and China are complex and multi-faceted. While industrialization and economic growth have lifted millions out of poverty, they have also contributed to severe air pollution problems, particularly from thermal power plants.

Vehicular emissions and transportation

India and China are two of the most populous nations in the world, and both have struggled with high levels of air pollution. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution in both countries, especially in urban areas.

India

In India, road transport currently accounts for 20-30% of urban air pollution, with passenger vehicles being the largest chunk, releasing about 45% of CO2. The transport sector contributes to a third of India's particulate matter (PM) pollution and 20-35% of PM2.5 pollution in urban areas. Vehicular emissions are the primary source of carbon monoxide (CO) in highly polluted cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kolkata. These emissions are a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, which affects the body's ability to absorb oxygen.

India's road transport sector is the fastest-growing source of carbon emissions in the country. It currently accounts for 12% of India's energy-related CO2 emissions and is projected to double by 2050 as the country seeks to meet the increasing demand for private mobility and the transport of goods. To address this, India has implemented Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards to regulate vehicle tailpipe emissions. In April 2020, India adopted BS-VI standards, which are equivalent to Euro-6/VI norms, and has also introduced policies to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

China

China has also recognized the impact of vehicular emissions on air quality and has implemented restrictions on vehicle ownership and usage. While auto emissions are a major source of air pollution in China, the country has taken steps to address this issue. Pollution control initiatives have included setting up city-specific targets for air quality progress and requiring companies to complete environmental impact assessments.

Both India and China are facing the challenge of balancing economic development with environmental protection. As large nations seeking to industrialize and move their massive populations out of poverty, they are grappling with the collateral damage of environmental deterioration.

Construction dust and debris

In China, the construction industry has been criticized for being one of the heavy polluters that generate dust and debris, and the government has implemented various measures to address this issue. China has proposed five categories of governmental measures to minimize dust emissions on construction sites: technological, economic, supervisory, organizational, and assessment-based. Technological and organizational measures are preferred, and institutional guarantees and technological innovation are considered prerequisites for dust-free construction. Some Chinese cities, such as Nanjing and Xuzhou, have charged fees for disposing of dust pollutants on construction sites since 2009.

To combat India's construction dust and debris pollution, the National Green Tribunal of India has required contractors to pay a fee based on their building plot sizes to compensate for environmental pollution. The government in Delhi has also implemented measures such as tighter vehicle emissions norms, higher penalties for burning rubbish, and better control of road dust. In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme, aiming for a 20%-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024 in 102 cities with poor air quality.

The efforts to reduce construction dust and debris pollution in India and China are crucial steps in improving air quality and reducing the health risks associated with particulate air pollution. These measures aim to minimize the impact of construction activities on air quality and protect the health and well-being of the citizens in these countries.

Waste burning and fuelwood

India and China are two of the most populous nations on Earth, seeking to move their masses from poverty to wealth via industrialization. Environmental deterioration has long been the collateral damage of this process.

India is the world's largest consumer of fuelwood, agricultural waste, and biomass for energy purposes. Traditional fuel (fuelwood, crop residue, and dung cake) dominates domestic energy use in rural India, accounting for about 90% of the total. In urban areas, traditional fuel constitutes about 24% of the total. India burns tenfold more fuelwood every year than the United States. The fuelwood quality in India is different from the dry firewood of the United States, and the Indian stoves in use are less efficient, thereby producing more smoke and air pollutants per kilogram equivalent.

Biomass-based household stoves in India are also a leading source of greenhouse emissions, which contribute to climate change. The carbon-containing gases released from biomass fuels are many times more reactive than cleaner fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas. Some reports, including one by the World Health Organization, claim 300,000 to 400,000 people die of indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide poisoning in India because of biomass burning and the use of inefficient stoves.

In autumn and spring months, large-scale crop residue burning in agriculture fields is a major source of smoke, smog, and particulate pollution. Every November, this heavy mix is exacerbated by millions of farmers in the states of Punjab and Haryana burning rice stubble after their harvests, a cheap way to dispose of otherwise worthless straw.

China, on the other hand, woke up to its pollution problem some years ago. Pollution control initiatives in China over recent years have ranged from setting up city-specific targets for air quality progress and a vast network of air quality monitoring systems to requiring companies to complete environmental impact assessments and punishing violators with heavy fines. While coal-fired power plants and steel factories have long been a major source of energy in China, they have come under scrutiny in recent years. Restrictions on vehicle ownership and usage have also been implemented, given that auto emissions are a major source of air pollution.

Poor air quality and health problems

Poor air quality is a significant issue in India and China, threatening the health of over one-third of the global population. The severe air pollution in these countries has been linked to various health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, lung cancer, and an increased risk of strokes.

In India, the situation is particularly dire, with 22 of the world's 30 most polluted cities located in the country. The sources of pollution in India are diverse and include vehicular emissions, industrial activities, thermal power plants, construction dust, waste burning, and the use of cheap and dirty fuels for cooking. The unique geography of northern India, with the Himalayas forming a barrier to the north, also prevents the dispersal of pollutants, trapping them in the region. The impact of this pollution on residents' health is evident, with an increasing number of non-smokers and younger patients being diagnosed with lung cancer. The high levels of PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, in the air pose a significant health risk as they can be absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory issues, asthma, and inflammation of the lungs.

China has also struggled with poor air quality, although in recent years, the country has made efforts to improve the situation. Pollution control initiatives have included setting up city-specific targets, implementing a vast network of air quality monitoring, and requiring environmental impact assessments for companies. These efforts have resulted in a reduction in average pollution levels and an expected increase in life expectancy for Chinese citizens. However, pollution in China still exceeds the World Health Organization's guidelines, indicating that more needs to be done.

The health impacts of air pollution in China and India are not limited to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Studies have linked fine particulate matter to an increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and strokes. The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) has reported that particulate air pollution is the world's greatest external risk to human health. It is estimated that compliance with the WHO's threshold for exposure to fine particles could increase global life expectancy by 2.3 years.

The COVID-19 lockdown provided a unique opportunity to study the impact of reduced human activity on air pollution levels. During the lockdown, both China and India experienced significant drops in air pollutant concentrations, particularly in PM2.5 and NO2 levels, which are associated with transportation activity and urban areas. This reinforced the link between human activities and air pollution, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to improve air quality and protect public health.

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