Smog Pollution in North India 

Context: The Indian subcontinent, particularly New Delhi, is gripped with high levels of air pollution (smog). The air quality levels in the region have exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by over 50 times posing severe environmental and health risks. 

What is smog?

• Smog is type of air pollution that reduces visibility. The term "smog" was first used in the early 1900s to describe a mix of smoke and fog. 
• Today, most of the smog is predominantly photochemical smog. It is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere. 

Sources of Smog:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx): Emitted from vehicular exhaust, coal power plants, and industrial emissions. 
• VOCs: Released from gasoline, paints, and cleaning solvents. 
• Process: Sunlight triggers chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to produce ground-level ozone and particulate matter — or smog. 

Why does the Indian subcontinent experience one of the highest levels of air pollution? 

According to the World Air Quality report, India’s air had 54.4 micrograms of PM2.5 particles per cubic metre on average. The poor air quality persists in Pakistan as well as Bangladesh.  

Natural factors responsible:

• Himalayas trap the pollutants over the subcontinent and do not allow them to disperse.
• Low lying topography of Gangetic plains stabilises the air mass over it, further accumulating the air pollutants.
• Continental type of climatic conditions promote extreme winters in northern Plains spanning across India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The winter inversions promote atmospheric stability, further contributing to air pollution.
• The presence of the Thar desert also leads to the spread of dust particles in the entire region.

Anthropogenic factors responsible:

• Emissions from coal-fired power plants, steel mills, and other industrial facilities release large amounts of pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).
• Traditional brick kilns (prevalent in many parts of South Asia) are significant sources of air pollution due to their inefficient combustion processes.
• High levels of vehicular traffic, often with poorly maintained vehicles, lead to the release of pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), NOx, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and PM.
• Farmers often burn crop residues (stubble burning) to clear fields, releasing large amounts of smoke, PM, and greenhouse gases.
• Decomposing organic waste in landfills emits methane (CH4) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• The use of biomass (wood, dung, crop residues) and coal for cooking and heating in rural and low-income urban households produces significant indoor and outdoor air pollution.

What steps India has taken in this regard?

• National Clean Air Program to reduce the levels of air pollution at both regional and urban scale.
  • Target: Reduction of PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels by 20-30% by 2024.
  • Measures: Stringent implementation of mitigation measures, strengthening air quality monitoring and augmenting public awareness.
• Clean Air India Initiative to curb air pollution in Indian cities by promoting partnerships between Indian start-ups and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for cleaner air.
  • E.g., Under it, an ‘INDUS impact’ project aims to reduce stubble burning by promoting businesses to make construction and packaging materials using paddy biomass. 
• Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS),  National Air Quality Index, Sector-specific emissions and effluent standards for industries to reduce emission of PM 10, SO2 and Nitrogen Oxides. 
• Promotion of fuel standards: Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel; ban on pet coke and furnace oil.
• LPG subsidy under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) to curb indoor pollution.

More steps:https://compass.rauias.com/environment-biodiversity/impacts-air-pollution/

What are the major health impacts of air pollution?

Way Forward:

• For Individuals: Staying indoors, keeping oneself hydrated, using public transport, and avoiding construction sites. 
• Govt. agencies: 
  • Strict implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle pollution during severe conditions.
  • Temporary stay on new construction projects.
  • Expand infrastructure for producing biomass from stubble waste. 
  • Retiring old thermal power plants, exploring use of Carbon Capture technologies in heavy industries. 
  • Strict fines for violation of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and other environmental laws.  
  • Promotion of public transport and network of metro, e-rickshaws, promotion of car-pooling etc.
  • Increase green cover in urban areas to act as pollution sinks.