Delhi has registered its worst air quality in recent times.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that the city 'has become a gas chamber'
If serious steps are not taken, Delhi may soon face an "air pollution disaster" which London saw 65 years ago.
2) Reason for Delhi Air pollution
With the onset of winter season, meteorological conditions like wind pattern and low temperature aggravates pollution level.
Combination of smoke from stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana and moisture turned Delhi into a “gas chamber”
Particulate matter air pollution is worse in winter due to "inversion" where warm air rests above and cooler air temperatures trap smog closer to ground.
Exhausts from automobiles, industry and thermal power plants
High level of high-emission vehicles and Delhi has more cars than it can handle.
Severity of the problem
Among megacities Delhi has the worst air quality, according to the WHO report.
The air quality index (AQI) is in the severe category with the warning that healthy people are also affected.
The level of the harmful PM2.5 was several times over the standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
Doctors have termed the situation a “public health emergency”
Lungs of the elderly and children are less capable of handling such high levels of pollutants and thus they develop breathing difficulty.
It can also affect the cardio-vascular system and the brain
When pollution levels rise, the condition of those suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or asthama worsens
Despite the ban on crackers this Diwali, the air quality index has deteriorated.
Indoor and outdoor air pollution made up more than 10% of the total burden of disease in 2016
. 4) Concerns / Challenges
This has a devastating effect on our children’s development and health.
Even those with strong immunity will get affected if the intake of this air is for a prolonged period Masks available in the market may not be enough to keep pollutants from getting into lungs.
The state pollution control board faces institutional, technical, and manpower constraints.
Delhi has 15 air pollution monitoring stations manned by the CPCB, of which only 10 are functional. In comparison, Beijing has 35 and London 100.
The value of work time lost due to illness by the patient or the caregiver
. Even though farmers are aware that the burning of straw is harmful to health, they do not have alternatives for utilising them effectively.
The WHO says that breathing Delhi air for a day is equal to smoking 20 cigarettes
As per estimates, air pollution is costing India around three per cent of the GDP in terms of health costs.
5) Way Forward
Create awareness among the masses by installing LED panels displaying pollution levels
Preventive measures like hike in parking fees and slashing of metro fares.
Need for implementing long-term measures as the use of nasal filters or air purifiers can provide short-term relief only.
Residents must avoid stepping out or doing outdoor activities during the early morning and evening hours.
Doctors must address school children about air pollution and its hazards.
CPCB should direct local bodies to check open burning of solid waste and strictly enforece rules related to prevention of emission from construction activities.
Mechanical sweeping with water wash and vacuum-assisted sweeping of roads to reduce road dust emission.
There is great potential for making investments in paddy straw-based power plants which can help avoid stubble burning and create employment opportunities.
The efforts of the MoEFCC, ministry of power, MNRE, MoRTH, MoHUA, MOHFW and a variety of non-governmental partners must come together for dealing with air pollution.
There must be political will for political parties and governments to firstly acknowledge the scale of this health emergency and then work together
To regulate automobiles -- stringent measures are needed. For example, Singapore has decided to stop registration of all new vehicles.
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