Air Pollution's Global Reach: India To Us

India is the world's second most polluted country, with air pollution causing one in eight deaths. The country's rapid economic growth, industrial emissions, and vehicle emissions are some of the main contributors to its poor air quality. While India has launched initiatives such as the National Clean Air Program to reduce pollution, the air quality in the United States is unlikely to ever reach India's extreme levels due to improvements in policy and regulations. The United States has made significant progress in reducing air pollution since the 1970s, with a 73% decrease in common air pollutants from 1970 to 2016, despite economic growth and increased energy use.

India's air pollution and its causes

India's air pollution problem is severe and pervasive, impacting the lives and health of locals and visitors alike. The country's air quality index (AQI) regularly exceeds safe levels, with Delhi, the capital, often bearing the brunt of hazardous air pollution. In 2024, Delhi's AQI reached 1,700 in some parts, far surpassing the World Health Organization's maximum healthy index of 50. This level of pollution is not an isolated incident, and Delhi has consistently ranked among the world's most polluted cities for over a decade.

The causes of India's air pollution are multifaceted and varied, with several factors contributing to the problem. Firstly, the country's agricultural practices play a significant role. Farmers often engage in stubble burning, a practice of quickly and cheaply clearing fields between harvesting rice and planting wheat by burning crop residue. The wind then carries the smoke from these fires into nearby cities like Delhi, where meteorological conditions cause the smoke to linger, forming a thick cloud of pollution. While farmers have been blamed for much of the pollution, experts argue that this is an oversimplification, and that a multitude of sectors need to be targeted to address the issue effectively.

Indeed, India's transportation sector is a major contributor to air pollution. The country's rapidly growing economy and increasing energy use have led to a surge in the number of vehicles on the roads, with cities like Delhi struggling to cope with the resulting emissions. In addition to cars, scooters, and auto-rickshaws, India's congested roads contribute significantly to air pollution, particularly in urban areas. The problem is further exacerbated by the use of adulterated fuels, which increase tailpipe emissions of harmful pollutants such as hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM).

Another significant source of air pollution in India is its power plants, particularly those that burn coal. These plants emit large quantities of harmful pollutants, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Waste burning is also a concern, with Delhi's landfills contributing to the city's poor air quality. Additionally, the country's construction boom, with the constant building of highways and flyovers, generates dust and releases pollutants into the air.

The Indian government has recognized the urgency of the situation and is taking steps to address the air pollution crisis. In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), setting a time-bound goal for improving air quality across the country. The NCAP focuses on 132 cities that consistently fail to meet air pollution standards, providing a framework for developing air quality management plans and policies. The government is also working to strengthen vehicular and industrial emission standards, expand renewable energy sources, promote electric vehicles, and supply LPG cooking fuel to households.

While India's air pollution problem is deeply concerning, it is unlikely to reach the United States. The U.S. has implemented policies and regulations to improve air quality, such as the Clean Air Act, and has made significant progress in reducing emissions and improving air quality since the 1970s. Additionally, the U.S. does not experience the same lengthy dry season as northern India, which contributes to the stagnation of pollutants.

The US's improved air quality and reasons

The US has seen significant improvements in its air quality over the years, and there are several reasons for this positive development.

One key factor is the implementation of effective policies and regulations aimed at reducing air pollution. Notably, the Clean Air Act, which was strengthened by Congress in 1970, has played a pivotal role in cleaning the nation's air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established under this Act, has made remarkable progress in decreasing air pollution levels. The EPA works closely with states, tribes, and local air quality agencies to address air pollution effectively. The Clean Air Act has led to stringent emissions standards for motor vehicles, power plants, and industrial processes, resulting in substantial reductions in harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The EPA's "NOx SIP Call" Rule, for instance, significantly cut down NOx emissions from power plants in the eastern United States.

Another reason for the improved air quality in the US is the phase-out of leaded gasoline and the subsequent decline in airborne lead concentrations. Between 1980 and 2005, airborne lead pollution decreased by 98% due to the EPA's air toxics program and strict regulations on lead compounds. This has had a significant impact on public health, as lead pollution is a widespread health hazard.

Additionally, technological advancements have played a crucial role in reducing air pollution. The EPA has employed various technologies to combat toxic pollution, which has resulted in decreased sulfur dioxide and fine particle pollution. These technologies bring additional benefits for public health, such as reducing asthma attacks, heart attacks, and other respiratory issues.

Furthermore, the US has witnessed a growing awareness of the dangers of air pollution to public health, prompting actions to address this issue. The EPA's statistical approaches to understanding weather influences on ozone and fine particles demonstrate a proactive approach to emission reduction programs. The EPA's peer-reviewed study in 2011 concluded that the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 were achieving substantial health benefits, and these benefits are expected to grow over time.

While the US has made notable strides in improving its air quality, it is important to acknowledge that challenges remain. Certain areas of the country, particularly industrious valleys, still experience poor air quality due to pollutants trapped in these geographical locations. However, the overall trend in the US indicates a dedicated effort to enhance air quality and safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens.

India's National Clean Air Program

India's air pollution levels are among the highest in the world, posing a severe threat to the country's health and economy. All of India's 1.4 billion people are exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, the most harmful pollutant, which comes from multiple sources. These small particulates, with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, cause deadly illnesses like lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. In 2019, 1.67 million deaths in India were attributed to air pollution, accounting for 17.8% of the total deaths in the country. The economic losses due to premature deaths and morbidity from air pollution in the same year amounted to US$36.8 billion.

To address this pressing issue, India launched its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019. The NCAP aims to significantly reduce air pollution levels across the country's cities, targeting a 20-30% reduction in annual levels of dangerous fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) by 2024 compared to a 2017 baseline. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has raised the ambition for NCAP, now aiming for a 40% PM2.5 reduction by 2026.

The NCAP framework integrates actions spanning science, technology, policy, and education at the city, state, and regional levels. It involves 132 non-attainment cities, those with PM 2.5 levels currently exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These cities have prepared detailed clean air action plans to monitor, understand, and address local air pollution challenges. The plans also identify near-term interventions to reduce pollution from construction dust, industrial operations, and the transportation sector, with timelines for implementing priority source control actions.

While NCAP has shown some progress in reducing PM 2.5 pollution in India's most polluted cities, annual levels in 2022 still exceeded the national standard. NCAP funds have helped expand air monitoring stations, with 180 additional stations established since 2019. However, more action is needed to reach the national target of 1,500 stations by 2024. The programme has also been critiqued for its lack of fiscal autonomy for Urban Local Bodies to maintain infrastructure and its city-centric rather than airshed-centric approach.

The Clean Air Fund's role in India

India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient particulate matter (PM2.5), the most harmful pollutant. This matter is formed when gaseous pollutants like ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides mix in the upper atmosphere. India's capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally, with PM2.5 concentrations nearly 10 times higher than World Health Organization guidelines.

The Clean Air Fund is a philanthropic initiative that works with governments, funders, businesses, and campaigners to address global air pollution. Its work in India includes:

• Supporting the National Clean Air Program: The Clean Air Fund is assisting the Indian government's National Clean Air Program, which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024. This includes collaborating with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to implement real-time measures to mitigate and address pollution sources.
• Empowering healthcare professionals: The Clean Air Fund has played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of healthcare professionals in the clean air movement. For example, they have partnered with Health Care Without Harm to build a network of health workers who advocate for clean air to patients and policymakers.
• Engaging the private sector: The Clean Air Fund has helped establish the India CEO Forum for Clean Air, which has 70 members, including major Indian businesses like Wipro and Mahindra Group. The Confederation of Indian Industry's CEO Forum for Clean Air brings together business leaders to drive cross-sector change.
• Facilitating dialogue and information sharing: The Clean Air Fund promotes the exchange of knowledge and best practices among various stakeholders in the air quality movement. This includes generating a best-practice compendium on clean air for Indian cities to promote cross-learning and build capacity for implementing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
• Utilizing remote sensing technology: The Fund supported the TRUE Initiative's study in Delhi and Gurugram, which revealed that motor vehicles emit significantly more pollutants in real-world conditions than in laboratory tests. This evidence supports the case for transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.

While air pollution in India is severe and poses significant health and economic challenges, it is unlikely to reach the United States due to various factors, including policy improvements, regulations, and the structure implemented by the U.S. to prevent such hazardous air quality events.

The impact of air pollution on health

Air pollution is a well-known environmental health hazard, and it has been linked to a variety of negative health consequences. It is defined as the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gases, mists, odours, smoke, or vapours, in amounts and durations that can be harmful to human health. The main pathway of exposure is through the respiratory tract, but air pollution can also enter the bloodstream and impact almost every organ in the body.

One of the most significant pollutants is fine particulate matter (PM), which includes PM2.5, a major component of air pollution in the United States. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and cause systemic damage to tissues and cells. Exposure to high levels of PM can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma in the short term. Long-term or chronic exposure increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. Maternal exposure to air pollution is also associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight and pre-term births.

Other important air pollutants include carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Ozone, for example, is a powerful lung irritant that can cause inflammation and impact multiple body systems. It can lead to short-term respiratory symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath, and it has also been linked to long-term health effects.

The health impacts of air pollution vary depending on the types and concentrations of pollutants, as well as individual factors such as age, pregnancy, pre-existing health conditions, genetics, and sociodemographic factors. Certain populations, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic conditions, are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution. Additionally, psychosocial stress factors, such as poverty and racial/ethnic discrimination, can amplify the harmful effects of air pollution.

Air pollution has been linked to increased mortality and morbidity, posing a significant threat to public health and the economy. In India, for example, air pollution contributes to approximately 2 million premature deaths annually, resulting in substantial economic losses. India's air pollution is primarily caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction, thermal power usage, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households. The Indian government has recognized the urgency of the situation and has allocated funds to combat air pollution in major cities.

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