India’s Capital is Bearing An Enormous Issue of Air Pollution Just Two Days Before the Festival Deepawali

Whenever you flick through the newspaper, you observe an article related to pollution. How pollution is life-threatening? How it is unavoidable since ages? Numerous souls are fading away in consequence of pollution.

Now the question rises what is pollution?

It is an introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes deleterious effect on living beings

One can never conjecture how fresh the air breathes by us regularly unless an individual is researcher in laboratory. The gases in an atmosphere inhale by us are deadly. Air pollution is an immense situation.

Releasing of pollutants into the air that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole refers as Air pollution.

Regional air condition affects the survival of living being. Like the weather it fluctuates from day to day or even hour to hour.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and regional agency are functioning to mould the data about open air quality.

Device used to provide air quality information is AQI (Air quality index).

The National Air Quality Index (AQI) introduced in New Delhi on 17 September 2014 by the Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

AQI is an index to outline regular air quality report. It notifies about how considerable the air is free from dirt. Its centre of attention is on health effects an individual can encounter

Air quality reports also reveal atmospheric particulate matter written as PM2.5 present in the air. These particles are so minor that it can be detected only with an electron microscope.

Air Quality Index in Delhi’s showed a reading of 418 which means ‘hazardous’ pollution in some areas. Other indicator PM2.5, which is considered very harmful to health, showed a reading of 268.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemns stubble flaming in Punjab for rising air pollution in the National Capital Region. Until October 30, Punjab has seen 15,000 incidents of stubble burning in the current paddy season, according to state Pollution Control Board data. The number of incidents, in fact, has come down drastically from 27,000 during the corresponding period in 2016.

10-day-long ‘Clean Air Campaign’ from November 1-10 initiated to detect and announce polluting activities in addition to ensure quick action.

Under the campaign, a fine of over Rs. 1 crore has been imposed in the last three days on people violating the norms causing pollution.

An official with the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) convey despite moderate wind speed, the pollution in Delhi rose due to stubble burning from the neighboring states.

Smog vague landmarks like India Gate in winter, delaying flights at the airport due to poor visibility. Traffic jams are part of the daily routine and slums abut New Delhi’s luxury hotels and private mansions.

The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority for the National Capital Region (NCR) declared today that pollution levels in Delhi-NCR would be “severe” in the next week.

EPCA ceased to all industrial activity in Delhi-NCR for the period November 4-10.

AIR QUALITY INDEX OF MAJOR CITIES

S.No	City	Air Quality	Index Value	Prominent Pollutant
1	Muzaffarnagar	Severe	415	PM2.5
2	Noida	Severe	433	PM2.5
3	Ghaziabad	Sever	435	PM2.5
4	Greater Noida	Sever	425	PM2.5
5	Amravati	Good	47	PM10
6	Bengaluru	Satisfactory	66	PM10,  CO, OZONE
7	Agra	Very Poor	355	PM2.5
8	Lucknow	Poor	266	PM2.5
9	Jodhpur	Moderate	137	PM10

POSSIBLE HEALTH IMPACTS

GOOD	Minimal Impact
SATISFACTORY	Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people
MODERATE	Breathing discomfort to the people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases
POOR	Breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure
VERY POOR	Respiratory illness on prolonged exposure
SEVERE	Affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases

AIR POLLUTION CAUSES

• Igniting of crops done by farmers in the neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
• Rampant growth of real estate all over the city
• Intensifying CNG vehicles on the road
• Trapping of dust particles in the freezy air aroused development of smog
• Overpopulation is a major concern

STEPS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION

• Smoking should be banned
• Usage of water-based paints and glues
• Reduce the usage of products mixed with chemicals
• Use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.
• Limit driving by carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking
• Conserve energy
• Usage of energy efficient light bulbs and appliances
• Environmentally friendly cleaner should be used

AIR POLLUTION EFFECTS

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

• Irritation of eyes, nose and throat
• Upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions.
• Asthma and emphysema

LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Lung cancer
• Heart disease
• Brain,nerves,liver,kidney can damage
• Lungs of growing children