Delhi ranked fourth in Most Polluted Cities

Delhi ranked fourth among 50 of the world’s most polluted cities regarding PM2.5 levels in 2022.

According to the IQAir Global Air Quality Report, Delhi had an average PM2.5 level of 92.6 g/m3 in 2022, slightly lower than the average of 96.4 g/m3 in 2021.
Lahore was deemed the most polluted city in the world, followed by Hotan in China and Bhiwadi in Rajasthan.
Additionally, the average PM2.5 concentration in Bhiwadi was 92.7 μg/m3.
Delhi has retained its ranking on this list – it stood fourth in 2021 as well.
The WHO guideline for annual PM2.5 levels is 5 μg/m3.
Furthermore, Chad, Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, and Bangladesh were the 5 most polluted countries in 2022.

About
- IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology business, prepares annual world air quality reports.
- In addition, it is based on data from monitoring stations run by governments, institutions, and organisations worldwide.
- The study for 2022 is based on PM2.5 data from 7,323 cities across 131 nations.

About
- Fine particles, also known as particulate matter 2.5 (PM5).
- They are microscopic particles or droplets in the air that are two and a half millimetres or less in width.
Effect on Health
- Particles in the PM5 size range can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and enter the lungs.
- Fine particle exposure can produce short-term health symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.
- Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter may be linked to;
  - Increased chronic bronchitis
  - Decreased lung function
  - Increased mortality from lung cancer and heart disease.

About
- The Air Quality Index is acquired by measuring emissions of eight major pollutants present in the air:
  - Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
  - Ozone (O3))
  - Carbon Monoxide (CO
  - Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  - Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  - Lead (Pb)
  - Ammonia (NH3) emissions.
- Readings are noted every hour.
- Furthermore, each country has their air quality indexes based on its air quality standards.
India
- Government entities are responsible for informing the public about health hazards and how to avoid them.
- The National Air Quality Index was introduced in September 2014 in New Delhi as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to monitor India’s air quality index.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has assembled a panel of medical professionals, air quality experts, academia, advocacy organisations, and SPCBs.
- IIT Kanpur was also awarded a technical study.
- The IIT Kanpur and the expert committee recommended an AQI plan for India in 2014.
- Six Indian cities have a continuous monitoring system that records data in real-time: New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad.

Link Zero Emissions with Human Rights
- Air pollution must be acknowledged as a human rights concern and an environmental challenge.
- Furthermore, it should be related to the net zero emission mission by 2070.
- The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has also adopted a resolution recognising the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right.
Green-Transition Finance
- There is an urgent need to develop a financial infrastructure capable of mobilising private finance for clean-air solutions in India.
- Green industries such as clean energy and e-mobility provide practical ways to enhance air quality.
Bio Enzyme-PUSA
- The Indian Agricultural Research Institute has created PUSA, a bio-enzyme, to remedy stubble burning.
- As soon as it is sprayed, this enzyme decomposes the stubble, converting it into manure and improving the soil.
Ready-Made Concrete for Construction
- Building dust contributes significantly to air pollution in growing cities.
- To address this scenario, Niti Aayog has proposed the usage of ready-made concrete.
- Additionally, it can reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.

In India, a multilayered environmental catastrophe must be handled on multiple fronts and by multiple causes.
We must apply scientific and sociological scientific understanding to create and promote environmentally friendly technologies in construction, energy, water management, industrial production, and transportation.
Along with this, it should be noted that India has been steadily improving its pollution levels in recent years.
Furthermore, it was made possible by India’s exceptional performance.

Pic Courtesy: The Hindu

Content Source: Indian Express