Context
Delhi-NCR has topped the list of 10 cities for most days crossing ground level ozone pollution levels.
About
- The evaluation is based on granular, real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board.
- The record analysed metropolitan areas of Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.
Major Findings
- All 10 regions studied witnessed exceedances of the national ozone standard, with Delhi being the most affected.
- Ozone levels were elevated even at night, with Mumbai recording the most times of night time exceedances.
- The period of ozone exposure is concerning, lasting an average of 12-15 hours throughout most cities, the researchers determined.
- Summer is the peak season for ozone, the problem persists year-round in lots of areas, in particular in sunnier southern cities.
- Ozone accumulates not only in metropolitan areas but also travels long distances, creating a regional pollutant that demands both local and regional action.
Ground-Level Ozone (O3) Pollution
- There are two varieties of ozone:
- High-altitude ozone or the “good ozone” that is high up in the atmosphere and forms a protective barrier across the Earth from the Sun’s dangerous ultraviolet rays.
- Ground-stage ozone or the “bad” ozone that forms in the direction of the Earth in the air we breathe. This ozone is not typically emitted immediately, however alternatively forms from chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx ) and unstable organic compounds (VOCs) in sunlight. The term “ozone” isn’t to be burdened with “smog,” another kind of pollutant that includes ground-level ozone and different gaseous and particulate pollution.
- Impact of Ozone
- Impact on human health: Breathing ground-level ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, throat infection, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the lining of the lungs.
- Impact on environment: Ozone damages plants and atmospheres by inhibiting the potential of flowers to open the microscopic pores on their leaves to breathe.
- It interferes with the photosynthesis system by reducing the quantity of carbon dioxide the plants can process and release as oxygen.
- Impact on crops: The growth in ozone ranges impacted agriculture globally, with ozone-precipitated crop losses averaging 4.4 percent–12.4 percentage for crops.
- Losses for wheat and soybean had been as high as 15 percent- 30 percent in key agricultural areas of India and China.
Air Pollution
- When harmful materials (pollution) – particles, gases, or matter – are released into the air and reduce its quality, the air is polluted.
- Common air pollution encompass: Particulate Matter (PM), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Lead and so on.
- Source: These pollutants can originate from natural sources consisting of volcanic eruptions and wildfires, however human sports such as industrial production, transportation, agriculture, and home heating are great individuals to air pollution.
Steps Taken by Government of India to combat Air Pollution
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): released in 2019, NCAP is a comprehensive initiative with the intention of reducing air pollutants in recognized towns and regions throughout India.
- The program makes a speciality of enhancing air quality tracking, enforcing stricter emission requirements, and promoting public awareness.
- Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) Emission Standards: The government applied BS-VI emission requirements for motors nationwide in 2020.
- These standards purpose to lessen vehicular emissions by means of mandating the use of cleaner gas and more advanced emission control technology.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): The PMUY scheme aims to provide clean cooking fuel to households with the aid of promoting the usage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as an opportunity for conventional biomass-based cooking methods.
- FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) Scheme: The FAME scheme promotes the adoption of electrical and hybrid vehicles to reduce air pollutants because of vehicular emissions.
- Green Initiatives for Sustainable Habitat (GRIHA): GRIHA is an initiative to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the construction and operation of homes.
- It encourages the usage of energy-efficient technologies and materials to lessen pollution.
- Waste Management Programs: Proper waste control is important to save you the burning of waste, which contributes to air pollutants.
- Various waste control projects, inclusive of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, aim to deal with solid waste troubles and promote cleaner disposal methods.
- Commission for Air Quality Management: The Commission has been set up for Air Quality Management inside the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas for better coordination, research, identification, and determination of issues surrounding the air quality index.
Way Ahead
- Insufficient tracking, confined data, and useless fashion evaluation methods have hampered expertise of this growing public health hazard.
- The complicated chemistry of ground-level ozone makes it a tough pollutant to track and mitigate.
- Stringent policies are to lower nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles, industries and different sources.
- There is a need for a multi-pronged technique to control air pollutants in India.
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (2021)