World Air Quality Report 2020

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    Recently, Swiss technology company IQAir has released the World Air Quality report.

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    • The global cities ranking report is based on PM2.5 data from 106 countries, which is measured by ground-based monitoring stations, most of which is operated by government agencies.
    • India continues to feature prominently at the top of the most polluted cities ranking, with 22 of the top 30 most polluted cities globally.

    Key Highlights of the Report

    • 22 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities including Delhi are in India.
    • It shows that Delhi’s air quality improved by approximately 15% from 2019 to 2020.
      • Despite widespread air quality improvements during 2019-20, air pollution in India is still dangerously high.

    •  India continues to dominate annual PM 2.5 rankings by city.
      • PM 2.5 refers to the ambient airborne particles of size 2.5 micrometres that are emitted from various sources and are linked to negative health effects such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness and premature mortality.
    • The annual exposure limit of PM2.5 set by WHO is 10 µg/m3, lower than 40 µg/m3 set under the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

    • Despite an 11% reduction in the annual average of PM 2.5 levels due to nationwide coronavirus lockdown curbs imposed last year, India emerged as the world’s third most polluted country after Bangladesh and Pakistan.
    • Sources
      • Major sources of India’s air pollution include transportation, biomass burning for cooking, electricity generation, industry, construction, waste burning, and episodic agricultural burning.
    • Impacts
      • Air pollution caused an estimated 54,000 premature deaths in New Delhi in 2020.
      • Prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to deadly diseases, including cancer and cardiac problems.

    What is Air pollution?

    • Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air that is detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole.

    Source of Air Pollution

    • Nitrogen dioxide: It is one of the major pollutants and major sources of NOx include emissions from motor vehicle exhaust, industrial facilities, and chemical solvents.
    • Agriculture & Allied Sources: Ammonia (NH3) -It is another gaseous pollutant that is monitored.
      • It occurs naturally in air, soil and water, and is used as an agricultural fertiliser and in cleaning products.
      • Short-term inhalation of high levels of ammonia can cause irritation and serious burns in the mouth, lungs and eyes.
    • Stubble burning: It is also one of the major sources of air pollution in northern India, especially in winters.
    • Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter: They emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels have, historically, been the main components of air pollution in many parts of the world.
      • The largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is burning fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.
      • Short-term exposure to SO2 can harm the respiratory system, making breathing more difficult.
      • Particulate matter (PM) are inhalable and respirable particles composed of sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water.
    • Carbon monoxide (CO): It is a toxic, colourless and odourless gas, given off when fuel containing carbon, such as wood, coal and petrol, are burned.
      • Major sources of methane include waste and the fossil fuel and agricultural industry.
    • Ozone (O3): It occurs both in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground level. At the ground, O3 is created by the chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds.
      • It is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, refineries and other sources chemically react in presence of sunlight.
      • It can trigger a variety of health problems, including chest pain, throat irritation and airway inflammation.

    Concerns

    • The Lancet Planetary Health published in December 2020 states that lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution accounted for economic losses of $28·8 billion (about Rs 2,13,451 crore) in India in 2019.
    • The global death rate attributable to air pollution exposure is 86 deaths per 100,000 people.

    Steps Taken by Government

    • The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Household LPG program and other schemes have helped to dramatically expand access to clean energy, especially for rural households.
    • National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
      • It was launched in 2019)now renamed National Clear Air Mission which aims to reduce the particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations in the air by 20–30% by 2024.
    • Commission for Air Quality Management
      •  The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas, 2020 — with a provision for a fine of Rs 1 crore and/or jail for 5 years for those violating air pollution norms.

    Way Forward

    • With the National Clean Air Programme and introduction of BS-VI emission standards, India has begun to take steps towards improving air quality and the efforts must be continued and expanded over the next few years to see improvements in air quality.
      • This will require concerted action at both the national and state and local levels.
    •  Given the severity of air pollution within this region, more real-time monitoring is needed to enable more people to respond and protect their health.
    •  Governments prioritise sustainable and clean energy sources, as well as the cities, need to encourage low cost, active and carbon-neutral mobility choices such as walking, cycling, and accessible public transport.

    Source :TOI

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