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Context :

• Recently in march 2025, A Swiss technology company named IQAir Published their 7th Annual World Air Quality Report for 2024.

India’s Air Pollution Ranking  :

• India is ranked 5th most polluted country India has an average PM 2.5 concentration of 50.6 µg/m³.
• And it is more than 10 times higher than the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
  • 2023 Rank: India was ranked 3rd. So there has been a 7% Drop in PM 2.5 from the 2023 level.
  • PM 2.5 levels have dropped from 4 µg/m³ in 2023 to 50.6 µg/m³ in 2024. It is showing slight improvement

Global Pollution Rankings

• Most Polluted Countries (2024):
  1. Chad (91.8 µg/m³) : 18 times higher than the WHO guideline.
  2. Bangladesh (78.0 µg/m³) : 15 times higher than the WHO guideline.
  3. Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³) : 14 times higher than the WHO guideline.
  4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.2 µg/m³) : 11 times higher than the WHO guideline.
  5. India (50.6 µg/m³) : 10 times higher than the WHO guideline.

Most Polluted Cities in India (2024)

1. Byrnihat, Meghalaya:

• PM 2.5 Concentration: 2 µg/m³.
• It ranked as the most polluted city in the world because of industrial activities & agricultural burning.

1. New Delhi:

• PM 2.5 Concentration: 8 µg/m³.
• It Ranked as the most polluted capital city in the world.

1. Other Polluted Cities:

• Mullanpur (Punjab)
• Faridabad
• Loni
• Gurgaon
• Greater Noida
• Muzaffarnagar
• Bhiwadi
• Central Delhi
• Rest of Delhi

Key Pollution Sources in India

1. Vehicular Emissions:

• In major cities like Delhi, vehicular emissions are a leading cause of air pollution.
• Because it is exacerbated by traffic congestion & poor fuel quality.
• PM 2.5 levels are impacted by vehicles in urban areas.

1. Industrial Emissions:

• Industries, factories, & power plants contribute heavily to air pollution in industrial hubs and cities.
• Emissions from factories & construction sites release large amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere.

1. Agricultural Burning (Stubble Burning):

• Stubble burning in states like Punjab and Haryana contributes up to 60% of pollution during the winter months.
• This seasonal practice releases large amounts of PM 2.5 & CO2 into the air. It is worsening air quality during colder months..

1. Construction Dust:

• In rapidly urbanizing cities construction activities release dust & particulate matter into the atmosphere. Which is further degrading air quality.

What is PM 2.5?

• PM 2.5 means Particulate Matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter.
• These fine particles are so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs & enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health problems.
• Sources of PM 2.5:
  • Vehicle emissions
  • Industrial pollution
  • Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, etc.)
  • Agricultural residue burning
  • Construction and demolition activities
• Health Impacts:
  • Respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma, chronic bronchitis)
  • Cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks, stroke)
  • Cancer
  • Premature death: PM 2.5 is responsible for reducing life expectancy by several years particularly in highly polluted regions.
  • Children and elderly populations are most vulnerable to PM 2.5 exposure.

Global Pollution Trends

1. Worldwide PM 2.5 Levels:

• 3% of countries exceeded the WHO’s annual PM 2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³.
• The global trend shows that air quality continues to degrade in most regions.

1. Countries Meeting WHO Guidelines:

• Only 7 countries met the WHO’s PM 2.5 guideline: Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, and Iceland.

1. Health Risk Worldwide:

• 7 million people die each year due to air pollution related health issues (according to WHO).
• Polluted air contributes to lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

1. Region-wise Pollution:

• Oceania (Australia, New Zealand) is the cleanest region. 57% of cities meeting WHO guidelines.
• East Asia, South East Asia, and West Asia do not have any cities meeting WHO standards.

Government Actions to Combat Air Pollution in India

1. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):

• The Indian government has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). It which aims to reduce air pollution by 20-30% by 2024.

1. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):

• The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was introduced to combat severe pollution levels on a graded basis in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
• It involves a system where air quality is monitored & different stages of response are activated depending on the pollution levels. For example
  • Stage 1: Implementation of measures such as banning the use of coal & firewood.
  • Stage 2: Banning of construction & demolition activities.
  • Stage 3 and 4: Measures like a temporary ban on vehicles, restriction of industrial activity, & imposition of emergency measures like shutting down schools or halting non essential activities.

1. Promotion of Electric Vehicles (EVs):

• To combat pollution from vehicular emissions Indian government is promoting electric vehicles (EVs) as an alternative to traditional combustion engine vehicles.
• Financial Incentives: The government offers subsidies and incentives to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, providing both tax rebates & subsidies on EVs as well as financial support for EV infrastructure (e.g. charging stations).

1. Stubble Burning Control:

• Stubble burning in states like Punjab and Haryana is a major contributor to winter air pollution in northern India & the government is addressing this issue through multiple initiatives.
• Subsidies for Alternatives: The government has introduced subsidies for crop residue management and encouraged farmers to adopt alternative technologies like machines that can process stubble, reducing the need to burn it.

1. Supreme Court Ruling (October 2024):

• In October 2024, the Supreme Court of India declared that clean air is a fundamental right, emphasizing the urgent need for measures to address the country’s air pollution crisis.
• The Court ordered stricter measures to control stubble burning in the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. It is also urging local governments to implement stronger enforcement of anti-burning regulations.

1. Delhi Vehicle Ban (April 1, 2025):

• In an effort to reduce pollution from older vehicles, Delhi will impose a ban on vehicles older than 15 years from refueling at petrol stations starting from April 1, 2025.

About IQAir:

IQAir is a Swiss technology company working to improve air quality globally through data and innovative solutions to combat air pollution.

Source: IE