Write a detailed report on rising pollution levels in Delhi especially in the months from October to December. (As a part of your multiple assessment 3)
1. Causes and effects of this pollution on our daily lives(environment).
2.Suggested mitigation measures of the same including your own contribution to combat pollution.
3. Efforts of our govt to combat this problem and how far has it been successful.
Answers
Answer:
“Air pollution in Delhi: Its Magnitude and Effects on Health”
SA Rizwan, Baridalyne Nongkynrih, and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta
Abstract
Of late, the air pollution status in Delhi has undergone many changes in terms of the levels of pollutants and the control measures taken to reduce them. This paper provides an evidence-based insight into the status of air pollution in Delhi and its effects on health and control measures instituted.
Status of Air Pollution in Delhi
Delhi (or the National Capital Territory of Delhi), is jointly administered by the central and state governments. It accommodates nearly 167.5 lakh people (2011 Census of India).
A study funded by the World Bank Development Research Group was carried out in 1991-1994 to study the effects of air pollution. During the study period, the average total suspended particulate (TSP) level in Delhi was approximately five-times the World Health Organization's annual average standard. Furthermore, the total suspended particulate levels in Delhi during this time period exceeded the World Health Organization's 24-h standard on 97% of all days on which readings were taken. The study concluded that the impact of particulate matter on total non-trauma deaths in Delhi was smaller than the effects found in the United States of America, but found that a death associated with air pollution in Delhi caused more life-years to be lost because these deaths were occurring at a younger age.
Effects of Air Pollution on Health
A large number of studies in Delhi have examined the effect of air pollution on respiratory functions and the associated morbidity. The most comprehensive study among them was the one conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board in 2008, which identified significant associations with all relevant adverse health outcomes.(10) The findings were compared with a rural control population in West Bengal. It was found that Delhi had 1.7-times higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms (in the past 3 months) compared with rural controls (P < 0.001); the odds ratio of upper respiratory symptoms in the past 3 months in Delhi was 1.59 (95% CI 1.32-1.91) and for lower respiratory symptoms (dry cough,wheeze, breathlessness, chest discomfort) was 1.67 (95% CI 1.32-1.93). Prevalence of current asthma (in the last 12 months) and physician-diagnosed asthma among the participants of Delhi was significantly higher than in controls. Lung function was reduced in 40.3% individuals of Delhi compared with 20.1% in the control group. Delhi showed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increased prevalence of restrictive (22.5% vs. 11.4% in control), obstructive (10.7% vs. 6.6%) as well as combined (both obstructive and restrictive) type of lung functions deficits (7.1% vs. 2.0%). Metaplasia and dysplasia of airway epithelial cells were more frequent in Delhi, and Delhi had the greater prevalence of several cytological changes in sputum.
Control Measures Instituted by the Government of Delhi
The nodal ministry for protecting the environment is the Ministry of Environment and Forests at the Centre and the Department of Environment of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board set up in 1974 under the Water Act is the principal watchdog for carrying out the functions stated in the environmental acts, implementation of National Air Quality Monitoring Programme and other activities. The Delhi Pollution Control Board is the body responsible at the state level.
From time to time, the judiciary has taken strong note of the deteriorating environmental conditions in Delhi in response to public litigations.
Industrial Policy
The first Industrial Policy for Delhi was introduced in 1982. Subsequently, a second Industrial policy (2010–2021) was issued by the Department of Industries, Government of Delhi. It is a comprehensive document envisioning higher industrial development in Delhi, with one of its mandates being to develop clean and non-polluting industries and details of steps to be undertaken in this direction have been described.
There are many other organizations that work synergistically with the government efforts to reduce air pollution. These include the Centre for Science and Environment and The Energy and Resources Institute, and the Indian Association for Air Pollution Control.
Benefits Accrued as a Result of Control Measures
Since the first act on pollution was instituted, huge progress has been made in terms of human resource, infrastructure development and research capability. Some studies tried to gather evidence for the effectiveness of control measures by comparing pre- and post-intervention health status.
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has taken several steps to reduce the level of air pollution in the city during the last 10 years. The benefits of air pollution control measures are showing in the readings. However, more still needs to be done to further reduce the levels of air pollution.