Air pollution

• Pollution is defined as the addition or excessive accumulation of certain materials in the physical environment, making it less suitable or unsuitable for living. These materials are referred to as pollutants.
• Air pollution involves the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are detrimental to human health, other living beings, or the climate, or that cause damage to materials. Air pollutants can include various gases (such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, methane, carbon dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbons), particulates (both organic and inorganic), and biological molecules.

Consequences of air pollution

• A significant number of deaths, estimated at around 2,000, have been attributed to pollution, which is quite alarming. These figures may not be entirely accurate as they are only estimates. Obtaining precise data would require extensive investigation, for which adequate manpower, time, and resources are often lacking. Therefore, a precautionary approach is essential in addressing pollution.
• India has witnessed a 50% increase in premature deaths associated with PM 2.5 between 1990 and 2015, a period that closely aligns with the country’s economic liberalization. Air quality has emerged as a major health concern as pollutants penetrate deep into the lungs, diminishing their capacity to purify the blood. This adversely affects growth, mental ability, and overall working capacity, particularly for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
• The poor are particularly vulnerable to air pollution as they often spend more time on the roads, increasing their exposure to harmful pollutants.

Facts and figures

• A new study using government data has established a connection between premature death and air pollution, contradicting recent statements by Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health, who had previously stated that there was no conclusive data linking air quality to mortality.
• Researchers at the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai discovered that the risk of premature mortality increased across all age groups in areas where air pollution levels exceeded national standards. The study revealed a 13% higher risk for adults, an 86% higher risk for newborns, and nearly a 120% higher risk for children aged one to five years. For infants, the risk increased by 104%.
• The study analyzed environmental and household air pollution levels along with mortality data from the National Family Health Survey 2019-21. It found that the likelihood of premature deaths rose in districts where average concentrations of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) were higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 40 micrograms per cubic meter. Additionally, household air pollution from unclean cooking fuels such as firewood or cow dung, or the lack of separate kitchens, also heightened the risk of premature mortality. This study was published this week in the journal GeoHealth.

Measures to Improve Air Quality:

• Enhancing public transportation systems
• Reducing the number of high-emission vehicles on the roads
• Adopting cleaner fuel options
• Enforcing stringent emission regulations
• Increasing efficiency in thermal power plants and industrial operations
• Transitioning from diesel generators to rooftop solar panels
• Promoting the use of clean, renewable energy sources
• Expanding the adoption of electric vehicles
• Reducing road dust through regular cleaning
• Regulating construction activities to minimize dust and emissions
• Prohibiting biomass burning, among other measures

The End of the Blog: Air pollution