Poison in the air

Every year India becomes lively around October, festive season cenetered around diwali is the prime reason, but what also comes together with this liveliness is discussion around air pollution. Around October many factors anthropogenic as well as natural, cloud the skies of northern India. But this problem is severe in Delhi NCR. Normal Particulate Matter( PM2.5 and PM10) which should hover around 20 and 40 respectively easily cross beyond 400 and 600 respectively. This is more than consuming tens of cigarettes per day. Number of patients who die due to air pollution is highest in India across globe.

Beginning of winter starts inversion of temperature, which restrict flow of air upwards, this keeps the polluted air in close contact with ground, which is problematic. Western disturbance which brings air from Pakistan and western part of India to Delhi also pollutes it’s air. These are all natural phenomenon, but what cause most of the pollution is human activities. The october marks the beginning of harvesting season, after cutting their standing crop they have to sow another crop, so farmers burn their crop residue rather than sending it for biofuel purposes, which contributes around 30% of Delhi’s pollution. Second biggest reason is the construction activities. Delhi in itself is more than 30 million big, but it we take all NCR region it is well above 60 million. This amount of population has huge housing need and even with skyscrapers and compact setting it is still big construction demand. Construction accounts for huge pollution in NCR region.

To solve any problem first thing is to have intent. Beijing had similar problems, but within few years they have been able to hold the problem. Delhi and it’s nearby region will have to work towards airshed approch. This approach focuses on a particular area rather than few pockets. As air has movement, the most clean city could get dirty in a dirty neighborhood. Hence we must approach this problem not just only Delhi’s problem, but also of it’s neighboring states. Everyone is well aware of the cause, we must act on war footing to address the problems causing agent. For stubble burning, setting enough biofuel plants should help. For construction it should be limited for few months and should be halted during winters. Government in Delhi has been providing free electricity and water but not being able to provide healthy air. As they say, king is the reflection of people. People of delhi want to have more discretionary spending , in the way they are also spending their lives. Air pollution has reduced the average age of world by 2.9 years. This data should put things into perspective.

One additional paragraph for indoor air pollution. If our homes are not ventilated properly we could suffers as badly as poor air outside. Keeping doors open at dawn, having few plants which don’t need sunshine should help. Due care should be given to the health of women who cook food as they are more exposed to vapour and heat. Take good care of yourself.