News Highlight
Ninety-five out of 132 polluted cities identified under a national programme on clean air have shown improvement in air quality by reducing particulate matter (PM10) concentration in 2021-22 compared to 2017
Key Takeaways
- Varanasi recorded the highest 53% reduction in the level of hazardous pollutant during the period, claimed the government in its analysis.
- The report has mentioned that 20 of the 95 cities have even conformed to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), putting an acceptable annual average limit of PM10 at 60 micrograms per cubic meter.
- Meanwhile, a think tank named the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has flagged the limitations of such a city-based approach.
- The CSE warned that the existing clean air action plans that draw hard boundaries around cities for the clean-up job are failing to address the major pollution sources in the larger orbit.
Particulate Matter
- Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, many of which are hazardous.Â
- A wide range of minute particles in the air can be seen only using an electron microscope.Â
- It includes sulphates, nitrates, black carbon, particle-bound water, metals (cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc) and hydrocarbons.
- Â In addition, biological components such as allergens (pollen, dust mites) and microbial compounds (fungi) are also PM.
- These particles vary greatly in size, composition, and origin.
- Based on the size, particulate matter is often divided into two main groups:
- PM 10: inhalable particles with diameters generally 10 micrometres (an average human hair is about 70 micrometres in diameter).
- PM 2.5: fine inhalable particles, 2.5 micrometres and smaller.
- What are the sources of PM?
- Emission from power stations, factories, industries, incinerators, diesel generators and automobiles
- Dust from construction sites and unpaved roads
- Burning of garbage.
- What are the harmful effects of PM?
- Continuous exposure to PM can cause asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and any type of bronchitis.Â
- PM can penetrate deep inside the lungs and damage them.Â
- PM can also cause chest tightening, watery eyes, sneezing, and running nose.Â
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), almost 3.7 million premature deaths annually are attributed to outdoor air pollution.Â
- About 80% of those deaths are due to heart disease and stroke, while another 20% are from respiratory illnesses and cancers related to exposure to PM 2.5.
Government Initiatives to Combat the Issue
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards – These standards for air quality are set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and are applicable all over the country.
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981– An Act to provide for the prevention, control, and reduction of pollution, the establishing of Boards to carry out the aforesaid purposes, the conferring and assigning of powers and functions to such Boards, and other issues related to it.
- National Air Quality Index (AQI) – Air Quality is measured using an Air Quality Index (AQI). AQI will display the changes in pollution in the atmosphere.
- National Clean Air Programme – It aims to reduce coarse and fine particle concentrations by at least 20% in the following five years, using 2017 as a baseline.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a government-run organisation in charge of air and water quality monitoring, as well as any other pollution-related issues.
Content Source: The Hindu