National clean air mission

A large proportion of Indian population is exposed to deadly levels of air pollution making India one of the worst affected countries due to air pollution globally. 

Major measure for air pollutants in India 

• The Air ( prevention and control of pollution) Act 1981
• Bharat stage emission standard 
• FAME India Scheme for reducing vehicular emissions 
• Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana for mitigating house hold pollution 
• Fuel gas desulphurification technology and super critical technology for combating industrial pollution. 

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

It was launched in January in 2019 to reduce the air pollution in the country by 20 to 30 % by 2024 in next 5year through reduction in particulate matters M10 and M2.5 from the level of 2017 in the 102 worst affected cities (called non attainment cities) in the countries by ensuring cuts in industrial emission vehicular exhaust, introducing stringent rules, biomass burning, reduce dust pollution, emission from agriculture, demolition waste, indoor air pollution, transport emission  and by Plantation drive etc.

• Salient features 
• It covers only particulate matters PM2.5 and PM10 reduction targets
• It covets 102 non attainment cities. 
• These cities have prepared city specific action plan in consultation with the respective state government. 
• It aimed to reduce 20- 30 % PM 2.5 and PM 10  by 2024.
• It starts from 2019.
• It is a five years scheme 
• Mitigation action
• Reduction of pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 by making rules 
• Plantation drive for large scale Plantation 
• Reducing industrial emission. 
• Agricultural emission 
• Indoor emission 
• Road dust reduction 

• Global Air Quality Standards and Guidelines: World health organisation ( WHO)  updated its old 2005 standards in September 22, 2021 after 16 years based on various global studies and analysis and set up new standards and concentration of air pollutants in air must be below these threshold for safety from diseases that are: 

For 24 hours exposure to air pollution 

The new threshold is decrease to the 15 microgram/ m3 from earlier 25 microgram/m3  for PM2.5

The new threshold has been lowered to 45 microgram/m3 from earlier 50 microgram/ m3  for PM10.

For a year exposure to air pollution 

The new threshold is decrease to the 5 microgram/ m3 from earlier 10 microgram/m3  for PM2.5

The new threshold has been lowered to 15  microgram/m3 from earlier 20 microgram/ m3  for PM10

Note - 

1. "Air pollution is a threat to health in all countries, it hits people in low and middle income countries the hardest".
2. WHO estimates that even lower concentration of ambient and household air pollution can cause disease and stroke, resulting in 7 million premature deaths per year.
3. for PM 2.5 first annual interim target is 35 microgram/m3 followed by 25, 15, and 10 microgram /m3.

 

• National Ambient Air Quality standards: according to 2009 NAAQS acceptable safe zone threshold in India are:

For 24 hours exposure:

Average safe limit is 60 microgram/m3 for particulate matter ( PM2.5), it is four times higher than WHO`s new standards, and 100 microgram/ metre cube for PM10. 

For exposure over a year long period:

Average safe limit / threshold is 40 microgram/ m3 for PM2.5, it is about eight times higher than the WHO new thresholds and 60 microgram per metre cube for PM10. 

 

Sources and causes of air pollution:

1. In 2017, Supreme court banned the use of firecrackers made of Antimony, Lithium, Mercury, Arsenic, Lead and Strontium Nitrate in Firecrackers.
• In 2018, Supreme Court allowed only use of Green Firecrackers.
• In 2021, Supreme court reiterated bans and allowed to use of Green Firecrackers and banned further that contains Barium Salt.
• What are Green Firecrackers?
• Green crackers are those that create no pollution or less pollution as comparison  to tradition firecrackers;
• A new type of formulation has been recommended by the National  Environment Energy Research and CSIR named "STAR Z"
• STAR-Z contains: 
• 32% Potassium Nitrate
• 40 %Aluminium Powder 
• 11% Aluminium Chips
• 17% other additives 
• Benefits :It reduces Particulate matters PM10 and PM2.5  emission by 70 Percent.
2. Livestock: Generates methane and ammonia gas to air pollution. 
3. Agriculture :Crop residue burning. 
4. Transportation / mobility : vehicular gas emission
5. Biomass : wooden, cow-dung cake burning at home for cooking.
6.  Construction : dust particles, large scale urbanisation 
7. Industry: 
8. power plants 
9. economic development led by fossil fuel burning
10. GHG: CO2, water vapour, CFC,CH4 these gases form a blanket trapping out going heat, from earth to space, much as  the glass, plastic does in the green house. 
11. Chlorofluorocarbon( GHG): it is a ozone depleting substances and are used : every year 16 September is being celebrated as the day of "Global Ozone Day ".This year, 2021, it was 27th global ozone day and the theme was " Montreal protocol keeping us, our food and vaccines cool". India successfully phase out production and consumption of several ozone depleting substances such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC). Sources of ozone depleting substances are:
• in the production of plastic foams 
• In cleaning of certain electronic components 
• As pressurizing agents in aerosols cans.
12. Sulphur dioxide(GHG): it is responsible for acid rain. The sources of sulphur dioxide are:
• volcano eruptions
• fossil fuels burned such as coal, and oils.
13. Carbon dioxide (GHG)(: emission from coal burning 
14. Nitrogen oxides: emissions from coal burning 
15. Methane emission( GHG): major source of Methane production are Agriculture, natural gas extraction, mining coal and animal rearing. It is a GHG 80% more potent than Carbon but remain for short time than CO2. Methane from Cows' digestive system, in land fill wastes, and in oil gas production. 

• sources of methane emission:

• Land fill waste
• Oil production
• Natural gas production
• Paddy production
• Animal Rearing such as cows' digestive system
• Manure
16. Particulate matters( Primarypollutants): these are fine solid air pollutants suspended in the air and are known by its size such as PM 2.5 and PM 10
• PM 2.5 : particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometres is defined as ambient airborne particulates. These include a range of of chemical makeups and come from a range of human-made sources, including fossil fuels, powered motor vehicles . power generation , industrial activity, agriculture and biomass burning. The microscopic size allows PM 2.5 to enter the blood stream upon inhalation, potentially causing far reaching health effects. PM 2.5 exposure has also been associated with low birth weight, increase acute respiratory infections and stroke.
• PM 10: particulate matter with diameter less than 10 micrometres. 
17. Cause of air pollution 
1. Vehicular gas emission 
2. Industrial gas emission 
3. Household gas emission 
4. Road dust

• Impacts of air pollution 

• Air pollution has been linked with lungs and heart disease as well as cancer, diabetes serious health risks for new-borns. 
• The state of global air (SOGA 2020) estimates that over 116,000 infants in India died within a month after their birth due to exposure to sever air pollution.
• The health burden of air pollution in India is massive. Over one million premature deaths linked to air pollution in India.
• There is enough evidence that shows air pollution is not just health problem, but also impacts economic growth. For example, a study published in The Lancet in 2020 said that Delhi faces an annual catastrophe post-Diwali, suffered the highest per capita economic loss due to air pollution in 2019, eroding 1.08% state GDP. Over all deaths and disease due to air pollution is linked to a loss of 1.36% of India`s GDP.
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Measures taken by governments:

•  Air Quality Index: Central pollution control board release daily, weekly,monthly and annually index of air quality. It was launched in 2015 to index eight parameters.  The air quality are categorised based on concentration of air pollutants in milligrams per unit volume of air in various categories, for short term   up to 24 hours to compare with 24 hours  national ambient air quality standards. These  parameters are:

1. PM10 
2. PM2.5 
3. NO2
4. SO2 
5. CO
6. O3 
7. NH3  
8. Pb

Air quality index 

• Good: zero to 50
• Satisfactory: 51 to 100
• Moderate: 101 and 200
• Poor : 201 to 300
• Very poor: 301 to 400
• Severe: 401 to 500.

Decision support system?

1. DSS is a pollution tracking, model developed by the scientists at the Indian Institute of tropical meteorology (IITM), PUNE, aims to identify the contribution of known sources, such as vehicle. 

   It is the first of its kind real time model to assess the contribution of pollution sources. 

   • In this model, tracers have been attached to eight major polluting sources that have been identified in Delhi. The share of the sources at any given time will also be shown. 
   • The system will also be to track the contribution of crop stubble burning from states such as Punjab and Haryana to Delhi air. 
   • Delhi will be able to track, in real time which sources are contributing to pollution. 
   • It is being managed by CPCB. 
   
   
2. National Air Quality Monitoring Programme:  To monitor the air quality level in cities of India taken by the central pollution control board of India and was launched in 1984. It works under the union ministry of Earth’s science. The system of air quality and weather forecasting and research (SAFAR). It monitors level of particulate matters, SO2, and nitrogen oxides. SAFAR is air quality forecast agency under the Ministry of earth and science.
3. AIR QUALITY EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. 
4. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) : it is a set of emergency anti pollution measures to be taken to reduce Air pollution depending on the level of pollution such as dust pollution and vehicular pollution. The pollution due to stubble burning can not be controlled by implementing GRAP. For this bio decomposer being used. There are  Grap measures categories for implementation of measures such as very poor, moderate to poor:
• very poor category: 
• ban on diesel generator sets
• increase in parking fee
• ban on use of coal
• ban on use of wood in restaurant
• Augmentation of bus and metro services
• Moderate to poor category:
• ban on firecrackers
• stopping burning of garbage
• mechanised sweeping of road
• sprinkling of water on unpaved roads
5. Pusa Bio-decomposer: Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed a solution named 'Pusa' that can decompose crop residue into manure by accelerating the decomposition process. This bio- decomposer is basically a liquid formulation. The solution, when sprayed in the fields, can decompose crop residue and turns it into manure. The solution increases soil fertility and reduce the use of fertilizers. These agents act on the straw to make it soft and plough-able, break down its molecular components and release the nutrients into the field. A special mix of microbes in the decomposer can be apply on any kind of organic biomass. In the process it turns rice stubble into fluffy manure. An independent audit slowed that in 90% of farms, stubble was decomposed within 15-20 days,and organic carbon increased by 42% and organic nitrogen increased by 24%. The decomposer is win- win solution for both farmers and air.  The decomposer solved the problem of stubble, even increased soil fertility in areas where it was used. 

6. What is stubble burning crisis?

Every year Delhi's air quality begins to deteriorate as the winter winter season begins this is primarily due to stubble burning in the north Indian states. Farmers burns leftover paddy stubble to clear the field quickly before planting wheat for the next season. As a result the smoke from farm fires moves towards Delhi leading to high pollution levels in NCR. A fall in temperature and winds bring pollutants from these fires into neighbouring states. North westerly winds bringing high load of pollutants from stubble fires in Punjab and Haryana. This is coinciding with a drop in temperature that makes dispersal of pollutants difficult. 

There are two kinds of wastes after harvesting: 

one is the straw left behind after threshing and taking out grain. And the second is the stubble which is left attached to the ground after harvesting. The burning of both of them is broadly termed as stubble burning. Burning paddy straw has emerged as a big problem in the past two to three decades as farmers have shifted to mechanised combine harvester, which cuts the grainy part of a rice plant, leaving the stalk intact.

Why farmers are inclined to choose to burn stubble?

For farmers, it is the  easiest and cheapest way to dispose off stubble for winter sowing crop wheat so that they choose it to burn it without fear of violation of law and pollution. 

1. What is Pusa bio-decomposer?

   Pusa decomposer ( both in liquid and capsule forms) is a microbial solution for accelerating decomposition of paddy straw that can turn into manure in 15 and 20 days to prevent stubble burning. If it were sprayed responsibly, farmers would not have had to indulge in stubble burning.  

   • Four capsule can be scaled up to 25L of liquid formulation. 25L can be applied to One hectare of field (@ 10 L/ acre having 4-5 tonne of straw per acre). 
   • Pouch of four capsule cost Rs20/-
   • The acceleration process makes the field ready for wheat sowing in 25 days. This has been demonstrated in farmers fields in Punjab, Haryana, UP and in NCR.
   • Its use enrich the soil with nutrients and soil biological and physical properties were also improved.
   • It is a long term sustainable solution for management of paddy straw.

   Benefits:

   • the method cost s less than Rs.1000 per acre.
   • turned crop residue into manure;
   • reduced cost of chemical fertilisers;
   • no stubble burning required;
   • reduce Air pollution.
   • It promotes the theme 'Sustainable Agriculture'.
   • The decomposer solved the problem of stubble, even increased soil fertility in areas where it was used
   • An independent audit slowed that in 90% of farms, stubble was decomposed within 15-20 days,and organic Carbon increased by 42% and organic Nitrogen increased by 24%. 
2. Smog tower 
3. Diesel and petrol vehicle:  the National Green Tribunal, in a 2015 order,  has banned petrol vehicle older than 15 years and Diesel vehicles order than 10 years in the national capital region ( NCR). Now, Noida transport department has deregister 100,000 diesel and petrol vehicles older tha 10 and 15 years respectively.  
4. Shoonya campaign: this initiative  is launched by the NITI Aayog  to promote 'zero pollution delivery vehicles' by working with consumer and industry. Industry stakeholders such as e-commerce companies, fleet aggregators, original equipment manufacturers, logistic companies have been scaling up their efforts final mile delivery electrification.

• Corporate branding and certification programme: it is a part of the campaign to recognise and promote industries` efforts towards transitioning to electric vehicles for final mile deliveries.
• Online tracking platform: an online tracking platform will share the campaign.

Why is it important in India ?

Urban freight vehicle accounts for 10% URBAN transportation related CO2 emission in India and these emission is expected to grow by 114% by 2030.

Aim of Shoonya campaign: 

• to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles in the urban deliveries segments;
• to create consumer awareness about benefits of zero pollution deliveries;
• to promote awareness about health, environment, economic benefits of electric through the shoonya (zero) campaign.
• transitioning to clean transportation is critical as India continues to move towards a sustainable and resilient future.
• to improve urban air quality by reducing carbon emissions.

Issues : 

• New Delhi was the world`s most polluted capital for the third straight year in 2020 according to IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of lung damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5.
• Air pollution is likely to reduce the life expectancy of about 40% of Indians by 9 years, a report published in the US said. More than 480 million people living in the vast swathes of central, eastern, and northern India, including the capital, New Delhi.
• India`s  high level of air pollution have expanded geographically over time. For example, air quality has significantly worsened in the western state of Maharashtra and the central state of Madhya Pradesh compared to a couple of decades.
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Sources

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1752814