Air pollution in Delhi
The air quality in Delhi, the capital of India, according to a WHO survey of 1600 world cities, is the worst of any major city in the world. Air pollution in India is estimated to kill 1.5 million people every year; it is the fifth largest killer in India. India has the world’s highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma according to the WHO. In Delhi, poor quality air irreversibly damages the lungs of 2.2 million or 50 percent of all children. India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences published a research paper in October 2018 attributing almost 41% of PM2.5 air pollution in Delhi to vehicular emissions, 21.5% to dust and 18% to industries. The director of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) alleged that the Society Of Indian Automotive Manufactures (SIAM) is lobbying “against the report” because it is “inconvenient” to the automobile industry. Delhi is generally Moderate (101-200) level between January to September, and then it drastically deteriorates to Very Poor (301-400), Severe (401-500) or Hazardous (500+) levels in three months between October to December, due to various factors including stubble burning, road dust,vehicle pollution and cold weather. In November 2017, in an event known as the Great smog of Delhi, the air pollution spiked far beyond acceptable levels. Levels of PM2.5 and PM 10 particulate matter hit 999 micrograms per cubic meter, while the safe limits for those pollutants are 60 and 100 respectively.
Particulate matter levels in Delhi
Air quality or ambient/outdoor air pollution is represented by the annual mean concentration of particulate matter PM10 (particles smaller than 10 microns) and PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 microns, about 25 to 100 times thinner than a human hair).
Safe levels for PM according to the WHO’s air quality guidelines are 20 μg/m3 (annual mean) for PM10 and 10 μg/m3 (annual mean) for PM2.5
Causes of poor air quality
- Lack of active monitoring and reaction by authorities.
- Overpopulation
- Lack of political priority.
- Motor vehicle emissions are one of the causes of poor air quality. Other causes include wood-burning fires, fires on agricultural land, exhaust from diesel generators, dust from construction sites, burning garbage and illegal industrial activities in Delhi.
Effects of poor air quality
2.2 million children in Delhi have irreversible lung damage due to the poor quality of the air.
Effects on adults
Poor air quality is a cause of reduced lung capacity, headaches, sore throats, coughs, fatigue, lung cancer, and early death.
Smog in Delhi
Smog in Delhi is an ongoing severe air-pollution event in New Delhi and adjoining areas in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It has been reported as one of the worst levels of air quality in Delhi since 1999. Low visibility has resulted in accidents across the city.
“The Great Smog” also led to cancellation and delay of public transport, primarily trains and flights, causing much hindrance to the people.
Source of pollution
About 65 per cent of pollution in Delhi is due to local sources and it is the main reason why the national capital and its surrounding areas are seeing poor or very poor air quality.
Effects
Health effects
The government of Delhi has declared a health advisory.
- Breathlessness
- Chest constriction
- Irritation in eyes
- Asthma
- Allergy
Control measures
The Chief Minister of Delhi at that time, Arvind Kejriwal came out with the following proposed action items to attempt to reduce the air pollution.
- All Delhi schools will remain shut for the next three days.
- For the next five days, no construction and demolition work will take place in Delhi.
- Industries and factory near by are been shut down for 10 days.
- Supreme Court has banned the firecrackers.
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