2. Delhi Pollution
By – Deepika Phagwani
Pousali Jana
Anamika Roy Choudhary
Albertine Johnson
Anjali Agarwal
Sunita Jaiswar
3. Pollution, Also called as environmental pollution
Introduction
Environmental pollution is the contamination of the physical and biological
components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal
environmental processes are adversely affected.
Simply put, Environmental Pollution is something that brings harm to our
environment and in turn to the people who exist based on the environment.
4. Types Of Pollution
Water Pollution
Pesticides
Eutrophication
Insecticides
Air Pollution
Forest Fires
Smoke From
Chimneys
Automobile
Exhaust
Soil Pollution
Industrial Activity
Agricultural
Chemicals
Improper Disposal Of
Waste
7. What exactly is smog?
A mixture of fog and smoke permeates the air
The photochemical reactions between volatile organic compounds such as sulphur dioxide
(SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NO2) help release ground level ozone and fine particles into the
air.
The atmospheric pollutants or gases (released from the burning of fuels) react with
sunlight and its heat to form smog.
It is also a mixture of various gases with dust and water vapour in it.
8. Smog is not just harmful for humans and animals but can also prove to be devastating for the
nature as a whole
Heavy smog, which is being witnessed in Delhi right now, is responsible for decreasing the UV
radiation. This can lead to a low production of vitamin D, leading to cases of rickets among
people
It is also responsible for any illnesses -- from minor pains to deadly pulmonary diseases such as
lung cancer
It can cause irritation in the eyes
It can inflame breathing passages, decreasing the lungs' working capacity
Other issues or illnesses such as cold and pneumonia are also related to smog
Minor exposure to smog can lead to threats of asthma attacks
Smog also causes premature deaths
The ground level ozone present in the smog also constrains plant growth and causes immense
damage to crops and forests
Effects of smog
9. Factors Resulting In Pollution
•Burning of rice stubble left after harvesting
•Dust pollution by construction activities (metro, buildings
etc.) in the NCR region
•Pollution of vehicles Industrial pollution by factories or
small scale industries
•Bursting firecrackers on Diwali
10. One of the worst polluted states in the world.
Delhi Pollution
Visibility is poor in Delhi NCR was very bad, as pollution levels reached 30 times the World
Health Organization's recommended limit, in some areas.
The 2005 'WHO Air quality guidelines' offer global guidance on thresholds and limits for key
air pollutants that pose health risks
Deaths are mostly from heart attacks and strokes, rather than from respiratory disorders.
The air pollution in Delhi-NCR rose alarmingly high , with the Air Quality Index (AQI)
registering ‘Hazardous’ levels throughout the national capital region-AQI of 479 (primary
pollutant PM10) in Rohini and Sriniwaspuri which registered an AQI of 452.
People are resorting to air purifying masks and machines.
Air pollution in Delhi is responsible for approximately 10,000 to 30,000 annual deaths
in the city.
11. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) is 121, which is
described as “poor.” The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality, about how clean or
polluted the air is
Delhi Pollution : Facts and figures
According to the Ambient Air Pollution (AAP) report for the year 2014, Delhi had PM 2.5
pollution levels, which is the highest in the world, followed by Beijing. This result was
based on the monitoring of PM measurement of outdoor air pollution from almost 1,600
cities in 91 countries.
The highest concentration of PM 2.5 form of air pollution is supposed to be a very serious
matter and can lead to respiratory diseases and other health problems like lung cancer.
According to the WHO, air pollution is the fifth largest killer in India.
Carbon monoxide (CO), a dangerous gas emission, is around 6,000 microgram per cubic
metre in Delhi, which is much above the the safe level of 2,000 microgram per cubic metre.
The level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has also been increasing.
12. Steps Taken In Delhi To Combat Air Pollution
Odd-Even and a complete ban on construction activities
Government's strictness over burning of paddy stubble
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) declared "a state of medical emergency “
Mobile enforcement teams for monitoring polluting vehicles and vehicles not having
PUC certificates.
A Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) - a non-polluting, useful and affordable rail-based
mass rapid transit system
The Delhi Government has constituted a committee to implement the Bio-Medical Waste
(management and handling) Rules, 1998.
Regular placement of dustbins, purchase of additional front-end loaders, mechanical
sweepers, dumper placers, tipper trucks, to collect and dispose of garbage.
13. Ban imposed on the plying of more than 15 years
old commercial/transport vehicles
Tightening of mass emission standards for new vehicles.
Ban of selling leaded petrol, introduction of low sulphur diesel,
reduction of sulphur and benzene content in petrol.
Transform garbage into compost by developing new
sanitary land-fill sites.
The delhi degradable plastic bag (manufacture, sale
and usage) and garbage (control) act 2000
Banned the manufacturing of BSLV III engines
Only eco-friendly BSLV IV engine is
manufactured.
Steps Taken In Delhi To Combat Air Pollution
14.
15. How can citizens of Delhi help in reducing pollution?
Citizens can take steps to covert the garbage into compost in their localities.
More and more trees must be planted in every locality.
Keep a proper check on the pollution level of their vehicles.
More use of CNG.
Manage wastes of all types in a proper manner.
Should abide by the 3rs: recycle, reuse, reduce.
Travelling through public transport
Use of energy in an efficient manner.
Reduce water pollution by reducing the use of chemicals, cleaning agents, pesticides,
herbicides, fertilizers etc.
16. Artificial rain and cloud seeding
Cloud seeding is the process of combining different kinds of chemical agents, including
silver iodide, dry ice and even common table salt, with existing clouds in an effort to thicken
them and increase the chance of rainfall.
We are using the hygroscopic method to create artificial rain, which disperses salts through
flares or explosives in the lower portions of clouds
The process also involves changing the amount and type of precipitation that falls from
clouds by dispersing substances (mostly salts) into the air.
China has been using cloud seeding to create rains for many years
The US, Israel, South Africa and Germany have also used the technology
The salts grow in size as water joins with them
Type of technique allegedly holds much promise, but requires further research
