Air pollution is a most serious problem of the current time all over the world especially in the large cities because of the huge level of industrialization. The release of such air pollutants in heavy concentrations such as smog, particulates, solid materials etc are getting settled over the city, causing air pollution and health hazards to the people.

Most Indian cities are experiencing rapid urbanization and a majority of India’s population is expected to live in the cities with a span of two decades. The rapid development in urban has also resulted in a tremendous increase in the number of motor vehicles and in some cities this has doubled in the last decade.  Which is the main source of air pollution and poor ambient air quality impacting millions of citizens. Air pollution has been just below, Tobacco Smoking, Indoor Air Pollution. Blood Pressure, Diabetes among the top ten killers. This phenomenal has affected many aspects in India and the most crucial aspect is the health side of it population.

The following are the main reasons for the increasing rate of Air Pollution-

·       *  Poisonous gases and other particles emitted from industries without any treatment.

·       *Population concentration in cities.

·       *  Transportation- Vehicles contribute up to 35% of air pollution in the large cities of India like Bangalore, Mubai, Kolkata.

·       * Increased use of chemicals and petro-chemicals.

·       *  Tests of experiments of atomic weapons.

·       *Pollution from Spray Gun.

·       *  Heavy increase in the number of automobiles and their emission.

·       *  Fast rate of deforestation.

·       * Space research and satellite wastes.

·       *  Tests of chemical and bio chemical weapons.

·       *  Unorganized mining and traditional practices of the use of fuel wood etc.

Health Impacts of Air Pollution-

·          *        Increase in mortality due to urban air pollution.

·     *    Respiratory illness/disorder.

·     *    Brain damage.

·     *   Induction or revival of disease.

·     *    Cardiovascular problems.

·     *    Retardation of fetal growth.

·     *   Systemic and immune alterations.

·     *    Increases prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms.

Environmental Impacts-

Environmental impacts are not limited to local air quality, but global climate change as well. Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicular traffic damage the ozone layers on a global level and also have local impacts. Increased greenhouse gas emissions damage nearby soil, vegetation, forest areas, aquatic systems and groundwater. Air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels like coal and diesel has contributed to a worrisome slowdown in rice harvest growth in India in the past two decades.

Facts-

·        *  Seven of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world are in India.

·     * India, home to world’s top ten cities with the worst air quality, has been struggling to contain a deadly haze that killed an estimated 1.24 million citizens in 2017.

·    *     Bangalore holds the title of being the asthma capital of the country. Studies estimates that 10 per cent of Bangalore’s population and over 50 per cent of its children below 18 years suffer from air pollution related ailments.

·    *    Almost 44% of schoolchildren in Delhi had reduced lung function compared to 25.7% in the other cities.

·    *     In India, 627,000 premature deaths are attributable to ambient, or outdoor PM 2.5 exposure. When a household or indoor pollution is added to this figure it rises to 1.6 million.

·    *     Air Pollution in Pune has become the serious problem. The respiratory suspended particular matter in the air is more than the standard national level. About 90,000 commercial properties which include hotels, malls and hospitals emit 204 tone every year.

·    *     Over a 730 day period between 2013 and 2015, Delhi’s air standards were ‘Healthy’ for only 8 days.

·    *     India is home to 22 of the world’s 50 polluted cities.

·    *    Delhi’s PM levels are linked to 6 million Asthma Attacks per year in Delhi.

·    *     Household air pollution is an even worse public health emergency, associated with over 1 million deaths a year.

 

Steps taken by India-

 

At the same time, India has initiated major steps to address pollution sources: the Pradhan Mantri Yojana Household LPG program, accelerated Bharat Stage 6/VI clean vehicle standards, and the new National Clean Air Programme.

Green Court launched-

 

India launched a “Green” court on October 19, 2010 to make polluters pay damages as it steps up its policing of the country’s environmental laws. India was only the third country in the world after Australia and New Zealand to set up such court. 

World’s worst air pollution finally emerges as an election issue in India-

 

Promises to fight the world’s most toxic air have made it to the manifestos of major political parties for the first time in Indian elections.

Major Political parties such as the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party, the opposition Indian National Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have pledged to combat the crisis by taking measures ranging from setting deadlines, introducing new emission standards to promoting electric vehicles in a bid to fight toxic air. This is a change from the 2014 elections when none of the party manifestos had any mention of clean air or pollution.

Kolkata begins clean air campaign-

 

Kolkata began its campaign to clean up its air with 1500 policemen taking to the streets to seize polluting buses, taxis and autos.

India switches over to cleaner petrol and diesel.

The country has fully switched over to cleaner Euro-III and Euro IV petrol and diesel.

The capital city of Delhi formed 52 cross government teams to ensure implementation of its Graded Response Action Plan during peak pollution season.

The city of Ahmedabad implemented its health based plan to protect citizens from high levels of air pollution. The city’s proposed budget for FY19-20 has earmarked funds for actions that will address air quality of the city; these include procuring 1000 electric buses, 30,000 electric rickshaws.

Pune is making efforts to reduce traffic congestion and near roadway air pollution by promoting non-motorized transport. Recently, the city has begun the process of securing 500 electric buses and procured 8000 bicycles, with the goal of eventually making 20,000 such cycles available.

These and future initiatives have the potential, if fully implemented as part of a sustained commitment to air quality, to result in significant health benefits in coming years.

Reference and for further reading-

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/over-12m-early-deaths-in-india-in-2017-due-to-air-pollution-report/article26719117.ece

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/world-s-worst-air-pollution-finally-emerges-as-an-election-issue-in-india/story-FusRdOEzYJ5JlgaeHmvpBM.html

https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2017/10/a-comprehensive-study-of-air-pollution-in-india/

https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2017/12/8-facts-about-pollution-in-india-that-will-make-you-think/