How can air pollution be controlled?

Air pollution a silent raider of our health and environment, poses a significant challenge to global well-being. With its ability to traverse boundaries, the fight against air pollution requires a collective effort. Understanding the sources and implementing effective control measures can lead to cleaner air and a healthier planet. Here’s how we can take action.

How Can Air Pollution Be Controlled? Farmers in Delhi face the problem of stubble burning. The other step is imposing harsher terms on emissions. Other ways towards cleaner air include planting trees, use of public transport, and adopting eco-friendly practices.

Ecology air and atmosphere pollution. Emission of harmful gases industry and cars.

	Control Strategy	Description
	Emissions Reduction	Lower industrial emissions by promoting the use of clean energy and enforcing stricter measures around factories.
	Transportation	Encourage the use of public transportation along with electric vehicles, carpools, and bicycles to lower vehicle emissions.
	Afforestation	Enhance of number of green spaces and plant trees to absorb pollutants and ameliorate air quality.
	Public Awareness	Educate the public on the impact of pollution and ways of reducing their carbon footprint.

Identifying the Culprits of Air Pollution

The primary step in controlling air pollution is identifying its sources. Major contributors include vehicle emissions, industrial discharges, agricultural activities, and domestic heating and cooking. Once identified, targeted strategies can be developed to mitigate these pollutants.

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Strategies for Controlling Air Pollution

Embracing Clean Energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can drastically reduce emissions from power plants.
Upgrading Transportation: Encouraging the use of electric vehicles, improving public transport, and promoting cycling and walking can cut down vehicular emissions.
Enhancing Industrial Efficiency: Industries can adopt cleaner technologies and pollution control equipment to minimize emissions. Regular maintenance and upgrades are essential for this strategy to be effective.
Implementing Strict Regulations: Governments can enforce stringent air quality standards and penalize violations to ensure compliance.
Promoting Green Infrastructure: Planting trees and developing urban green spaces can absorb pollutants and improve air quality3.
Raising Public Awareness: Educating the public about the impact of air pollution and how individual actions contribute can foster a culture of responsibility.
Regular Monitoring: Setting up air quality monitoring stations provides real-time data, helping to enforce regulations and inform the public about air quality levels.

Controlling air pollution is not just a policy issue; it’s a lifestyle one. By making conscious choices, supporting clean energy, and demanding action from policymakers, we can all contribute to the solution. The air we breathe is the life we live, and it’s in our hands to make it cleaner for generations to come.

In 2023-24, the Indian government has undertaken several initiatives to control air pollution across the country. Here are some of the key measures:

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): We aim to improve air quality in 131 cities by targeting a 20-30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024, using 2017 as the base year.
Leapfrogging to BS-VI Norms: The transition from BS-IV to BS-VI norms for fuel and vehicles was implemented to reduce vehicular emissions significantly.
Enhanced Public Transport: Expansion of metro rails and development of expressways to reduce congestion and pollution.
Ban on Older Vehicles: Prohibiting the use of 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi NCR to curb emissions.
Cleaner Fuels and Technologies: Promotion of CNG, LPG, and electric vehicles through the FAME-2 scheme and exemption of permit requirements for electric vehicles.
Industrial Emission Controls: Stringent emission norms for coal-based thermal power plants and shifting of industrial units to cleaner fuels like PNG.
Waste Management: Implementation of waste management rules and infrastructure development to prevent pollution from waste burning.
Air Quality Monitoring: Expansion of the air quality monitoring network and implementation of Air Quality Early Warning Systems in key cities.

These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to reducing air pollution and improving the health and quality of life for its citizens.

Despite these efforts, India still faces significant challenges, with 63 of the 100 most polluted cities globally as of the 2021 World Air Quality Report. Rapid urbanization and economic growth exacerbate the country’s struggle with environmental issues, highlighting the need for ongoing and effective measures to improve air quality.

Air Quality in Delhi.

The air quality in Delhi has been a growing concern, with reports indicating severe levels of pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached alarming levels, prompting the government to take stringent actions. In response to the deteriorating air quality, schools in Delhi were directed to observe an early winter break as a precautionary measure to protect children from the hazardous air.

To combat the air pollution crisis, the Delhi government reintroduced the odd-even vehicle rationing system. Under this scheme, private vehicles are allowed to operate on alternate days based on their registration numbers—odd-numbered vehicles on odd dates and even-numbered vehicles on even dates. This measure aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and, consequently, the emissions contributing to air pollution. Additionally, restrictions have been placed on the entry of certain types of vehicles into the city, particularly those not conforming to CNG, electric, or BS-VI standards during periods of severe pollution under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV.

These steps reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the air pollution crisis and safeguarding public health, especially that of vulnerable groups like children.

The problem of increasing Smog.

Smog in Delhi is a critical environmental issue, particularly during the winter months. The combination of air pollutants with fog under certain conditions, such as low temperatures and calm winds, forms it in the atmosphere. The primary pollutants that contribute to the formation of smog include particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants originate from various sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial activities, stubble burning in nearby agricultural fields, and road dust.

The problem of Stubble burning by farmers in Delhi

Stubble burning in the states of Punjab and Haryana is a significant factor contributing to the air pollution in Delhi, especially during the months of September and October. This practice is linked to the agricultural cycle of rice farming in these regions. Typically, rice is harvested in the late rainy season, which delays the preparation of fields for the next crop, usually wheat. The short interval between the harvesting of rice and the sowing of wheat leaves farmers with limited time to clear the fields of rice stubble.

As a result, many farmers resort to burning the leftover stubble to quickly prepare their fields for the next crop. This burning usually peaks in October and November leading up to the winter season when the wind speed is lower, and the temperature inversion traps pollutants close to the ground, exacerbating the formation of smog. The smoke from stubble burning can contribute significantly to the PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations in the air, leading to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi and surrounding areas. This is becaause of the geographical area of Delhi. The Himalayan mountains act like a kind of barrier, directing the smoke towards Delhi. The second is the weather. During the winter, cold mountain air rushes down from the Himalayas towards Delhi, arriving beneath a layer of warm lowland air that creates a kind of dome over the city.

The health effects of smog on school-going children are particularly concerning. Children are more vulnerable to air pollution because their lungs and immune systems are still developing. Exposure to smog can lead to respiratory problems, exacerbate asthma, and cause irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat.