Air pollution remains a critical challenge in Delhi, posing severe threats to public health, the environment, and the economy. Defined as the contamination of the atmosphere by chemical, physical, or biological agents, it disrupts natural air quality and has far-reaching effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds safety limits, and in Delhi, this problem is particularly acute due to a combination of industrial, agricultural, and urban factors.
Causes of Air Pollution in Delhi
The air quality in Delhi consistently worsens during winter, often reaching hazardous levels. A multitude of factors contribute to this crisis, including industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, agricultural practices, and construction activities.
- Stubble Burning: Northern states like Punjab and Haryana burn approximately 35 million tonnes of crop stubble annually, contributing significantly to particulate matter levels in Delhi. Smoke from this practice combines with Delhi’s stagnant winter air, creating thick smog.
- Vehicular Emissions: Delhi has over 9 million registered vehicles, which emit large quantities of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This makes vehicular emissions one of the major contributors to air pollution.
- Industrial Emissions: Factories and thermal power plants release pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, worsening air quality.
- Construction Dust: Large-scale construction activities produce enormous amounts of dust and suspended particles, further degrading air quality.
- Firecrackers: Despite bans, the use of firecrackers during festivals leads to sudden spikes in pollutants, particularly PM2.5 and PM10.
- Waste Burning: The burning of waste at landfill sites releases harmful toxins, including carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Geographical and Climatic Factors: During winter, pollutants in the air become trapped due to stagnant winds and temperature inversions, exacerbating smog formation.
Health Impacts of Air Pollution
Delhi’s air pollution crisis poses a severe threat to public health. WHO data highlights that air pollution contributes to nearly 7 million deaths globally every year, and India accounts for a significant share. In 2019 alone, air pollution caused 1.67 million deaths in India, comprising 17.8% of the country’s total deaths that year.
- Respiratory Diseases: Long-term exposure to pollutants such as PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 aggravates conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
- Cardiovascular Problems: Fine particulate matter increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks, leading to premature deaths.
- Children’s Vulnerability: Young children are especially at risk due to their developing lungs and immune systems. Prolonged exposure impacts cognitive development and can lead to respiratory infections.
- Mental Health: Emerging research suggests that pollution exposure can exacerbate conditions like depression and anxiety, impacting mental well-being.
Economic Consequences
The economic costs of air pollution are staggering. The World Bank estimates that air pollution causes annual losses amounting to $8.1 trillion globally, equivalent to 6.1% of global GDP. In India, these costs manifest in reduced productivity, increased healthcare expenditures, and lower asset performance.
- Worker Productivity: Polluted air reduces labor productivity in both outdoor and indoor sectors, including high-efficiency workplaces like call centers.
- Premature Mortality: Early deaths caused by pollution reduce the workforce, impacting economic growth.
- Healthcare Costs: Rising cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases lead to increased healthcare expenses, straining public and private resources.
- Welfare Losses: Poor air quality affects quality of life, reducing consumer footfall in businesses and causing long-term socioeconomic losses.
Environmental Impacts
Air pollution’s effects extend beyond human health, severely damaging ecosystems.
- Terrestrial Ecosystems: Ground-level ozone harms vegetation and disrupts agricultural productivity. Excessive ammonia emissions affect soil quality and damage crops.
- Water Pollution: Pollutants lead to acid rain and eutrophication, damaging freshwater ecosystems. Mercury accumulation in water sources also harms aquatic life and the food chain.
- Climate Change: Increased greenhouse gas concentrations contribute to global warming and alter weather patterns, intensifying climate crises.
Government Initiatives to Combat Air Pollution
The government has implemented several programs and laws to address Delhi’s air pollution crisis.
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: This law provides a framework for regulating air quality and controlling pollution.
- National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP): Executed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), this program monitors ambient air quality across the country.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in 2019, the NCAP aims to reduce PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024, with targets revised to 40% by 2025-26.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): This comprehensive action plan outlines measures to control air pollution based on severity levels. It includes restrictions on construction, vehicular movement, and industrial emissions.
- Air Quality Index (AQI): Introduced in 2014, this color-coded system categorizes air quality into six levels, from ‘Good’ (0-50) to ‘Severe’ (401-500). It helps the public and authorities understand pollution levels and take appropriate actions.
- Bans and Subsidies: Subsidies for crop residue management equipment like Turbo Happy Seeders and bans on pet coke and furnace oil in industrial areas have been implemented to reduce emissions.
Challenges and Recommendations
Despite these efforts, air quality in Delhi remains poor, highlighting the need for additional measures.
- Stubble Burning Solutions: Promoting crop diversification, cultivating low-straw crops, and providing incentives for farmers to adopt direct seeding methods can help reduce agricultural emissions.
- Cloud Seeding: Artificial rain through cloud seeding can temporarily mitigate pollution levels. This technology involves dispersing salts like silver iodide into clouds to induce rainfall.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Expanding the adoption of EVs and BS-VI vehicles can significantly cut vehicular emissions.
- Increasing Green Cover: Urban afforestation and rooftop gardens can absorb pollutants and improve overall air quality.
- Public Transport: Investments in affordable and efficient public transport can reduce vehicle density on roads.
Role of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
The CAQM, established in 2020, has been instrumental in coordinating efforts to reduce air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). With the power to issue directives and take action against non-compliance, the CAQM oversees programs like GRAP and NCAP. However, the Supreme Court has criticized its slow implementation of measures, urging more active enforcement to curb pollution.
Air pollution in Delhi is a multifaceted issue requiring urgent attention. While government initiatives have laid the foundation for improvement, long-term solutions demand collective action from policymakers, industries, and citizens. By adopting sustainable practices and enforcing stringent regulations, Delhi can move toward cleaner air and a healthier future. The stakes are high, but with determined efforts, it is possible to mitigate this crisis and safeguard public health, the environment, and economic growth