The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 6th November 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Tiding over

Why in News?

Delhi and parts of the surrounding States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh encounter their annual air quality inflection point. This is the time when the southwest monsoon has receded and with it, the great drafts in the upper atmosphere that normally flush out pollutants from the gamut of anthropogenic activities such as construction, driving, power generation and the burning of agricultural residue.

Air Pollution

• Air pollution encompasses physical, chemical, and biological changes in the atmosphere.
• The presence of toxic gases, dust, and smoke in the air can have profound effects on humans, animals, and plants.
• The composition of gases in the atmosphere is crucial for survival, and any alteration, whether positive or negative, is detrimental.
• This imbalance in gaseous composition has contributed to the escalation of the Earth's temperature, leading to global warming.

Causes of Air pollution

• Fossil Fuels
  • Major cause of air pollution: Sulfur dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels like coal, petroleum in power plants, and industrial processes.
  • Gasoline and diesel engines in millions of vehicles release pollutants such as PM, nitric oxide, NO2 (NOx), carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and lead, contributing to high pollution levels.
  • Pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides result from both natural and human activities.
  • Overreliance on these modes of transportation for basic needs leads to environmental harm due to air contamination.
• Agricultural Activities
  • Agriculture produces dangerous chemicals like ammonia.
  • Use of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers releases hazardous chemicals into the air and water.
  • Stubble burning in fields is a source of air pollution through the release of hazardous pollutants.
• Waste on Landfills
  • Landfills are sites where waste is buried, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
  • E-waste poses problems with chemical leakage and wire burning.
• Industrial Dust and Waste
  • Manufacturing companies emit carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals, reducing air quality.
  • Petroleum refineries release hydrocarbons and other pollutants, harming air and soil quality.
• Mining Operation
  • Mining releases dust and chemicals, contributing to significant air pollution and health issues for workers and residents.
• Indoor Pollution
  • Household cleaning products and painting supplies emit harmful chemicals into the indoor air.
• Natural Factors
  • Certain natural events like volcanoes, forest fires, and dust storms can cause air pollution.

Major Air Pollutants

• Carbon Monoxide
  • Colorless, odorless gas from incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels and manmade items.
  • Reduces oxygen in the bloodstream, leading to confusion, fatigue, and disorientation.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
  • Primary greenhouse gas from human activities like coal, oil, and natural gas combustion.
  • Natural sources include volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers.
  • High concentrations (7%) can lead to asphyxia, causing dizziness, headache, and unconsciousness.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
  • Released by air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.
  • Deplete the ozone layer in the stratosphere, increasing exposure to harmful UV rays.
• Lead
  • Found in gasoline, diesel, batteries, paints, and hair dyes.
  • Especially harmful to children, affecting the nervous system, digestion, and potentially causing cancer.
• Ozone
  • Naturally occurring in the upper atmosphere, protecting from UV rays.
  • A ground-level pollutant caused by vehicles and industry, leading to eye irritation, immune system weakening, and respiratory issues.
• Nitrogen Oxide
  • Causes smog and acid rain, produced from burning fuels like petrol, diesel, and coal.
  • Particularly harmful to children's respiratory health in winter.
• Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)
  • Solid matter suspended in the air, including smoke, dust, and vapor.
  • Fine particles can lodge in the lungs, causing lung damage and respiratory problems.
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Generated mainly in thermal power plants and certain industrial operations when coal is burned.
  • Contributes to smog and acid rain, leading to lung problems.
• Smog
  • Visual air pollution making it hard to see, formed from nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ozone, smoke, and particles.
  • Result of coal combustion, automotive and industrial emissions, fires, and photochemical reactions.
  • Occurs due to the interaction of pollutants with sunlight and the environment.

Effects of Smog

• Reduced visibility and adverse environmental impacts.
• Decreased natural vitamin D production, resulting in higher instances of rickets.
• Significant reduction in UV radiation.
• Health issues, including lung problems and deaths related to bronchial diseases, are associated with smog exposure.

Indoor Pollution

• Indoor pollution refers to the presence of dust, filth, or harmful gases in the air within structures like homes or workplaces.
• Indoor pollutants include mold, pollen, tobacco smoke, household products, pesticides, and gases like radon and carbon monoxide.
• Poor indoor air quality has been linked to lung disorders (asthma, COPD, lung cancer), heart disease, and stroke.

Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

• Inadequate ventilation can lead to the buildup of indoor pollutants by failing to introduce enough outside air to dilute emissions from interior sources and transport indoor pollutants out.
• High temperatures and humidity levels can also increase pollution concentrations.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

• Combustion appliances that burn fuel.
• Products containing tobacco.
• Certain pressed wood products used in cabinetry or furniture.
• Cleaning, maintenance, personal care, and hobby products.
• Humidification and central heating/cooling systems.
• Radon and pesticides from outside sources.

Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

• Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
• Chronic health conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and cancer can result.

Fly Ash

• Fly ash is a fine gray powder primarily composed of spherical, glassy particles, produced as a byproduct of coal-fired power plants.
• It contains substances like silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), ferric oxide (Fe2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO).
• Exposure to fly ash particles can lead to lung issues such as asthma, inflammation, and immune reactions.
• It is used in various products like concrete, cement, road base, metal recovery, and mineral filler.

Fly Ash - Effects

• Fly ash is produced when coal is burned and contains harmful compounds like arsenic, barium, cadmium, nickel, and lead.
• These substances can cause cancer, lung and heart diseases, neurological damage, and premature death.

Effects of Air Pollution

• Health issues: Air pollution is linked to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. It has caused millions of deaths, including premature births, autism, asthma, and developmental disorders in children.
• Global Warming: Air pollution contributes to global warming, resulting in rising temperatures, sea-level rise, habitat loss, and climate-related crises.
• Acid Rain: Emission of harmful chemicals from burning fossil fuels leads to acid rain, which can harm humans, animals, and agriculture.
• Eutrophication: Pollutants accumulating in the sea surface cause eutrophication, damaging aquatic ecosystems.
• Ozone Layer Depletion: Ozone layer depletion, caused by substances like chlorofluorocarbons, exposes humans to harmful UV rays, potentially causing skin and eye problems and harming crops.

Pollutants - Measuring Standards

• Air quality is measured using indicators like the Air Quality Index (AQI), with common measurements being PM 2.5, PM 10, lead, and ammonia.
• PM 2.5 and PM 10 measure the concentration of particles of different sizes.
• An AQI value below 50 is considered safe.
• Instruments like PCE-RCM 05, PCE-HFX 100, and PCE-RCM 8 are used to measure air quality.
• Most particles result from complex chemical processes involving pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from sources like automobiles, factories, and power plants.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

• The AQI assesses air pollution levels and monitors eight primary air contaminants, including Particulate Matter (PM10), Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3), and Lead (Pb).
• The National Air Quality Index was established to evaluate air quality in six categories, and it was developed with the collaboration of IIT-Kanpur and air quality experts by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2014.

Conclusion