AIR POLLUTION IN NEW DELHI INDIA REHAN RANADIVE

AIR POLLUTION IN NEW DELHI, INDIA REHAN RANADIVE, SAAZ SAHANI

CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM • Pollution due to vehicle emissions, industry, construction, residential fuel burning • 10, 000 tons of municipal waste is burned per day, causing pollution levels to increase exponentially • 7. 4 million cars in New Delhi alone • Sulphur dioxide emissions from coalfired power plants have risen by 60% from 2005 -2012 • Low standard of local public transport forces people to take cars and buses

SITUATION IN NEW DELHI • The government has recommended that all citizens wear masks to protect themselves from the pollution • There was a closure for 3 days of 1800 public schools, 10 -day closure of power plants and a 5 -day halt of all construction activities • People have declared the city “too dangerous to walk in”, with several complaints of breathlessness, giddiness, redness and watering of the eyes, etc.

EFFECTS OF THE POLLUTION • Heavy exposure to high levels of air pollutants especially affects individuals with respiratory problems like asthma, but also those with cardiac and nervous system problems • It greatly increases the chances of heart attack and stroke • Pollutants can affect foetal growth, and is especially dangerous for young children as it can cause defects in lung growth from an early age - every third child in New Delhi has reduced lung function • Exposure to air pollution also makes children more vulnerable to pulmonary disorders, hypertension, ADHD and depression

• “Particulate matter” refers to microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the air, and is often used to assess air quality. • The world average for PM is 71µg/m 3, while in Delhi it is currently at 226µg/m 3 • When particulate matter is inhaled, it passes into the bloodstream and causes damage to the heart and blood vessels; the smaller the particles are, the more likely they are to penetrate the lung tissue • Increased risk of chronic bronchitis, and reduces the overall life expectancy

MEASURES TO CURB THE PROBLEM • The use of masks and air purifiers has been encouraged • Odd-even rule for cars • Regular “PUC” checks by police, to assess emission levels of vehicles • Efforts to shift local transport to natural gas rather than petrol and diesel • The government is yet to propose a concrete, long term solution for this problem

SOURCES • http: //edition. cnn. com/2016/11/07/asia/india-new-delhi-smog-pollution/ • http: //money. cnn. com/2016/02/17/news/economy/india-new-delhi-air-pollution/ • http: //indianexpress. com/article/india-news-india/the-steps-aimed-at-curbingrising-air-pollution-levels-in-delhi/ • http: //www. business-standard. com/article/news-ians/delhi-s-severe-air-qualitycontinues-aggravates-health-problems-116110300494_1. html • http: //indianexpress. com/article/lifestyle/health/delhi-pollution-prolonged-exposurecan-cut-life-expectancy-affect-heart-lead-to-cancer-3740222/ • http: //indianexpress. com/article/lifestyle/health/delhi-pollution-how-to-survive-andsafeguard-yourself-from-the-citys-toxic-air-3734745/ • https: //delhiair. org/india-and-delhi/what-causes-pollution-in-delhi/