Disease Dilemma's - Case Study - India - Air pollution

Question 1

% of Indians that breathe pollution above safe levels?

Answer 1

• 99%

Question 2

Impact of air pollution on life expectancy in India?

Answer 2

Reduces by 3 years for 660million people

Question 3

Types of air pollution linked to particulate in India? Major sources of this pollution?

Answer 3

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO), Sulphur Dioxide,
  Ozone. 2).
• Coal burning power stations, motor vehicles
  and large secondary industry sector
  (factories)

Question 4

Sources of rural pollution in India? (3)

Answer 4

1. Biomass fuels (i.e animal dung for heating) due to the widespread poverty/lack of household electricty.
2. Paraffin also used for cooking/lighting
3. Burning stubble in fields to make soil fertile

Question 5

Which size of air borne particles are especially dangerous? Diseases they cause?

Answer 5

2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5). Respiratory issues (i.e. asthma, bronchitis) and cancers (lung, heart diseases)

Question 6

WHO safer levels of PM (Particulate Matter), India’s national level and Delhi’s level in winter (worst)?

Answer 6

WHO = 10 micro grams/m3. India= 40. Delhi = 600 in winter

Question 7

Specific impact of Delhi pollution on residents? (4)

Answer 7

1. Respiratory illnesses are 1.7 times higher than rural-areas.
2. Lung capacity = reduced by 40% for Delhi lower..
3. Hypertension caused by air pollution = 40% higher than other areas.
4. Rise in pollution-related cancers (i.e lung/bladder cancer) - 20% of lung cancer in Delhi is linked to pollution levels

Question 8

Why has India seen a rise in air pollution in last 50 years? (4)

Answer 8

1. Economic growth - booming secondary economy.
2. Population = increase demand for energy.
3. Lack of regulation on motor vehicles.
4. Very little anti-pollution laws

Question 9

National solutions to air pollution in India? (5)

Answer 9

1). Chimney kilns in Bihar State - retrofitted (i.e. after installation) to reduce emissions.

2) 14 Indian cities building metro transit systems.

3). Subsidies for petrol/diesel are being stopped.

4). New restrictions on burning stubble in fields.

5). Trading Permits in certain states (i.e Gujarat, Tamil Nadu) where polluting companies can buy credits off of companies that don’t pollute much

Question 10

International solutions to air pollution linked with India? (2)

Answer 10

1). EU has set targets to reduce emissions: 20% drop by 2020 (from what CO2 levels were in 2015).

2). 37 countries & EU states =. Drop by 18% of 1990 levels by 2020