The winter months are expected to witness some of the worst smog levels in Delhi. While the entire northern India is affected by this, it is Delhi that has been in the limelight. The National Capital Territory is home to over 20 million people and is one of the world’s most polluted cities.
With winter about to set in, the discussion over effects of air pollution in Delhi is back. In recent years, unmitigated levels of pollution in northern India, especially the National Capital Territory have been a cause of concern for healthcare specialists. Day-long smogs and haziness have become a regularity in Delhi during the last quarter of every year. The menace is back again and you should be very worried. This year, a lot more is at stake. This year, the danger is more acute. Let us get to the bottom of this yearly hazard.
What causes air pollution in Delhi?
In India, we are facing a double whammy of air pollution. First, our cities are some of the most polluted in the world because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels and inadequate filtering measures adopted by our factories. This is a common problem among all developing nations because they are reluctant to switch to clean and renewable energy as this will supposedly slow down production rates.
Secondly, we have growing numbers of vehicles that spew out toxic fumes into the atmosphere every day. The number of vehicles on Indian roads is increasing at an alarming rate and we do not have enough public transport systems to cater to this need. But there is one solution that can help us get rid of both these problems: electric vehicles (EVs).
But Delhi’s pollution levels are worse than the rest of India’s during the October, November and December periods. And the primary reason behind that is –
Crop burning:
The continuing pollution crisis in Delhi has severe health impacts for citizens. According to official data, around two thousand people die each year due to air pollution-related diseases. It has been established that severe air pollution is more visible in traffic areas and near major factories, but it has affected the entire region of northern India due to crop burning and other sources.
Winter air
The secondary pollutants that add to the pollution of Delhi’s air include gases and fumes emitted by vehicles, while primary pollutants are those that pollute the land, water and atmosphere. Polluted air is made up of these harmful gases, which can cause respiratory illnesses and increase the risk of heart attack. The most common type is ozone, which can irritate eyes and throat and damage lungs.
Vehicular emission
Delhi has become one of the most polluted cities in the world. The situation has been worsened by the fact that there are more registered vehicles in Delhi than any other city in India. The exhaust emissions from these vehicles add to air pollution, making the air quality more toxic.
Diwali pollution
The burning of crop waste, coupled with strong winds from the north east, is a major cause for concern. This leads to smoke being pushed into the vulnerable plains of Delhi making it even harder to breathe.
So far, the situation
Delhi’s air quality has been steadily deteriorating, with experts fearing that it could worsen soon. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is firmly in the ‘very poor’ zone and the PM10 level has been hovering around 370 and the level for PM2.5 has been around 229. Experts fear that this is going to worsen very soon, especially around the time of Diwali so use the best air purifier in india.
Why is Delhi’s air pollution lethal?
Traffic, construction and open fires (burning of garbage) cause Delhi’s air to be heavily polluted. The government reports that 10,000-30,000 people die every year due to health complications caused by air pollution. This year the problem is more grave. Companies like Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Energy Research Institute have conducted surveys that revealed heavy pollution due to smog in surrounding areas made it difficult for civilians to breathe or even see clearly.
What can be done to improve AQI?
Air pollution is a massive issue, especially in major cities. The government has created a new commission that will research methods to reduce air pollution. In the meantime, we can all do our part by avoiding fireworks and using public transport instead of driving cars. Farmers also have a responsibility to consider protecting the environment; they should be given waste decomposers by the government as soon as possible so that carbon emissions can be curbed immediately.
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