Air pollution in India Flashcards
Why are there such high levels of air pollution in India especially in Delhi?
A lot of traffic, overpopulation, a huge reliance on coal and factories. Animal dung used for heating, people burning rubbish in the street, lack of air purification techniques.
What is PM 2.5?
Fine particulate matter which is an air pollutant, they are a concern to health when levels are high.
Why is PM 2.5 an issue for New Delhi?
There a very high levels (above 90 per metre cubed) in the area.
Why does the Indian government allow higher levels of air pollution than governments in the rest of the world do?
Much of India’s industry relies on things that emit fossil fuels and pollution and it would disrupt the Indian economy to stop these processes.
What are the consequences of these high levels of pollution?
Asthma levels are 1.7 times higher in Delhi than in rural areas. Lung function among Delhi’s inhabitants is 40% reduced compared to 21% in rural areas. Lung cancer rates have also increased.
What does DALY stand for?
Disability adjusted life years. One DALY is one full year of healthy living lost per 1000 people.
How is India faced with a “double whammy” of health issues?
It is faced with both lifestyle and infectious diseases. The first is to do with the increasing middle and upper class who live sedentary lifestyles and so are developing more non- communicable diseases and the second has always been an issue with India and links in to the widespread poverty of the country.
How does the geography of Delhi affect it’s air pollution?
Inversion takes place. Warm air rests above cold air closer to the ground, preventing it from mixing upwards, trapping all that is put into it.
How is air pollution and disease caused by rising levels of affluence in India?
More motor vehicles, coal-burning power stations and factories. Burning fossil fuels. Rich people living more sedentary lifestyles. Less regulation of air pollution, more electricity being used up as is more energy.
How is air pollution and disease caused by high levels of poverty in India?
People burning rubbish due to lack of waste management. Indoor air pollution takes place where there is a lack of electricity and and households depend on biomass for heating. Most people can’t afford air purifiers. Farming often results in burning. Lack of protected areas.
National solutions
retro-fitted chimneys
Fourteen cities building rapid transit metro systems
Subsidies for petrol and diesel scrapped
Restrictions on burning of stubble in fields
Global solutions
37 states and the EU introduced targets to cut GHG emissions by 18% by 2020 from 1990 levels. EU also pledged to drop from 2005 levels by 20% in 2020
What has air pollution done to life expectancy?
Reduced life expectancy of 660 million Indians by over 3 years.
What % of Indian’s breathe unsafe air?
99%
What kind of particle are dangerous to humans?
PM 2.5
