Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

A Lancet study found that even if the air quality met these standards, there would have been 0.3 million deaths associated with long-term exposure to air pollution.

Key findings:

WHO PM2.5 Standard	No area in India meets the recommended level of 5 µg/m³.
NAAQS (India)	81.9% of the population lives in areas exceeding the standard of 40 µg/m³.
Health Impact	1.5 million deaths annually are linked to high PM2.5 levels.
	Long-term exposure increases the risks of respiratory diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and developmental delays in children.
Risk Increase per 10 µg/m³	8.6% increase in risk of death for every 10 µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 levels.
Regional Pollution Levels	Arunachal Pradesh (Lower Subansiri district) 2019: 11.2 µg/m³.
	Ghaziabad and Delhi (2016): 119 µg/m³.
Potential for Improvement	Meeting NAAQS could prevent 0.3 million deaths annually. Achieving WHO levels would save even more lives.
Sources of Pollution	Identifying and addressing sources such as construction, vehicular emissions, and crop burning is critical.

What is air pollution?

Air pollution is a complex mixture of solid particles, liquid droplets, as well as gases. It can come from many sources for example: household fuel burning, industrial chimneys, traffic exhausts, power generation, open burning of waste, agricultural practices, desert dust, and many other sources.

Air pollutants measured include PM_2.5and PM₁₀ (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of equal or less than 2.5, also called fine, and 10 micrometers respectively), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Revised guidelines in 2021 by WHO:

Guideline Purpose	Evidence-based recommendations to achieve air quality protecting public health.
Initial Release	First guidelines in 1987; regular updates ensure relevance.
Latest Update	2021 update in response to ongoing air pollution threats to public health.

What do the guidelines recommend?

The WHO Air quality guidelines recommend levels and interim targets for common air pollutants: PM, O3, NO2, and SO2.

Recommended 2021 AQG levels compared to 2005 air quality guidelines:

About National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards are limits on the atmospheric concentration of six pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, and other health hazards. Established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the authority of the Clean Air Act.

The six criteria air pollutants (CAP), or criteria pollutants, for which limits are set in the NAAQS are ozone (O3), atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These are typically emitted from many sources in industry, mining, transportation, electricity generation, and agriculture.

Ambient Air Quality Standards in India:

Ambient air quality refers to the condition or quality of air surrounding us in the outdoors. National Ambient Air Quality Standards are the standards for ambient air quality set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The CPCB has been conferred this power by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Ambient Air Quality Standards in India:

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 was enacted by the central government to stop the deterioration of air quality. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 describes the main functions of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as follows:

To advise the Central Government on any matter relating to the improvement of air quality and the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
Plan and ensure the implementation of a national program for the prevention, control and reduction of air pollution.
To provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Pollution Control Board.
To conduct and sponsor research and investigations related to the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to air pollution; and
Establish and repeal air quality standards
The mandate given to the CPCB under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act empowers it to set air quality standards.

Source:

Indian Express

WHO

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the causes, effects and potential solutions to air pollution in India. How can regulatory and technological interventions be enhanced to mitigate its impact on public health and the environment? (250 words)