World Air Quality Report 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Air Pollution
Source: TOI
Context: The World Air Quality Report 2024 which was published by Swiss air technology firm IQAir, gives a detailed analysis of global air pollution levels, bringing to light the alarming trends and some important information.
Status of Air Pollution in India
• High PM2.5 Levels: India’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 50.6 µg/m³, exceeding the WHO safe limit (5 µg/m³) by 10 times.
• Most Polluted Cities: 13 out of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat (128.2 µg/m³) and Delhi (91.6 µg/m³) ranking among the worst.
• Health Impact: Air pollution contributed to 2.1 million deaths in India in 2021, making it a leading cause of premature mortality.
• Regional Crisis: Northern states (Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) experience severe pollution due to crop burning, industrial emissions, and vehicular traffic.
Status of Air Pollution in the World
• Global Air Pollution Crisis: 99% of the world’s population breathes air that exceeds WHO’s PM2.5 limit (5 µg/m³), with only 12 countries meeting safe levels.
• Most Polluted Countries: Chad (91.8 µg/m³), Bangladesh (78 µg/m³), Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³), Congo (58.2 µg/m³), and India (50.6 µg/m³) rank as the world’s most polluted nations.
• Health Impact: Air pollution caused 1 million deaths worldwide in 2021, making it the second largest global risk factor for mortality after high blood pressure.
• Unequal Burden: South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East face the highest pollution levels, while Europe and Oceania have the cleanest air due to strict regulations and renewable energy adoption.
Major Causes of Air Pollution:
• Fossil Fuel Combustion: Power plants, industries, and vehicles release high levels of PM2.5, worsening air quality.
• Crop Burning: Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and UP causes 60% of Delhi’s winter pollution.
• Industrial Emissions: Cities like Byrnihat face severe air pollution due to factories, distilleries, and steel plants.
• Construction Dust: Unregulated urban expansion leads to high particulate matter pollution in cities.
Challenges in Tackling Air Pollution:
• Weak Policy Enforcement: Lack of strict penalties and poor GRAP implementation weaken pollution control.
• Lack of Coordination: Different states adopt varied pollution measures, creating inconsistent results.
• Public Apathy: Low awareness and poor compliance hinder effective air pollution mitigation.
• Rising Vehicular Emissions: Urban traffic congestion and fossil fuel dependence increase air pollution.
• Limited Air Quality Monitoring: Many Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities lack real-time air quality tracking systems.
Way Ahead:
• Strict Implementation of GRAP: Enforce bans on stubble burning and limit industrial emissions.
• Investment in Public Transport: Promote electric vehicles (EVs) and expand metro networks.
• Green Energy Transition: Shift from coal-based power plants to renewable energy sources.
• Better Urban Planning: Develop green belts, regulate construction dust, and improve air filtration.
• Community Awareness Programs: Educate people on air pollution’s health risks and mitigation strategies.
Conclusion:
The World Air Quality Report 2024 highlights India’s worsening air crisis, with multiple cities ranking among the most polluted. While government policies exist, their weak enforcement has resulted in little improvement. Urgent policy interventions, technological innovations, and community engagement are necessary to mitigate India’s air pollution crisis.
• Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards?