Air Pollution in India: An In-Depth Exploration

Introduction
Air pollution, defined by the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, poses a grave threat to human health and the environment. This issue is particularly pronounced in various cities across India, where a notable percentage of harmful chemicals contributes to the deteriorating air quality.

Sources and Categories of Air Pollution

 151-200: Problematic
 201-300: Highly problematic
 301 and above: Hazardous

Table showing air pollution levels in selected Indian cities along with corresponding prompts for potential
interventions
S.No. City Air Quality Index (AQI) Prompts for Intervention

1. Delhi Very Poor to Severe -Stringent enforcement of vehicular emission

standards.

• Promotion of public transportation and electric
  vehicles.
• Strict regulations on industrial emissions.
• Implementation of waste-burning bans and waste
  management.

1. Mumbai Poor to Very Poor -Introduction of green spaces and tree plantation

initiatives.

• Promotion of cleaner industrial practices.
• Strict monitoring of construction activities.

1. Kolkata Poor to Very Poor – Encouragement of sustainable urban planning.

• Promotion of cycling and pedestrian-friendly zones.
• Adoption of cleaner technologies in industries.

1. Chennai Moderate to Unhealthy – Development of efficient public transportation

systems.

• Stringent enforcement of dust control measures at
  construction sites.
• Introduction of pollution-eating plants in urban
  areas.

1. Bengaluru Good to Moderate – Implementation of green building standards.

• Encouragement of eco-friendly commuting options.
• Strict waste management regulations.

1. Hyderabad Poor to Very Poor – Introduction of smart traffic management systems.

• Incentives for electric vehicles and charging
  infrastructure.
• Implementation of stricter waste disposal
  regulations.

10 Most Polluted Cities in India in 2023
As per the updated criteria, the mean 24-hour exposure to PM2.5 should not exceed 15µg/m³, reduced from
the previous limit of 25µg/m³. Regarding PM10 particles, classified as standard dust particles, the revised safe
threshold has been decreased from 50 to 45µg/m³.

Cities Air Pollution level
Hassan 242.04 µg/m 3

Bhiwadi 103.08 µg/m 3

Faridabad 87.90 µg/m 3

Gurugram 87.83 µg/m 3

Delhi 84.17 µg/m 3

Kalyan 81.93 µg/m 3

Charkhi Dadri

Bahadurgarh

76.34 µg/m 3

76.30 µg/m 3

Mandi Gobindgarh 74.75 µg/m 3

Kurukshetra 71.07 µg/m 3

Different compounds contributing to air pollution
Table illustrating different compounds that contribute to air pollution along with their approximate percentage
in the atmosphere:
Compound Percentage in Air

Pollution

Common Sources Impact

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 50% (approx.) Vehicle exhaust, industrial
processes, wildfires

Invisible threat: CO,
primarily from vehicle
exhaust silently imperils
air quality and human
health.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 30% (approx.) Vehicle emissions,
industrial combustion

NOx, spawned by
combustion, fuels not just
engines but also
respiratory issues and
environmental
imbalances.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) 10% (approx.) Combustion of fossil fuels,
industrial processes

SO 2, emanating from fossil
fuel combustion, weaves
into the air, triggering
respiratory woes and
environmental
acidification.

Particulate Matter (PM) 5% (approx.) Combustion, industrial
activities, construction

Invisible menace: PM,
arising from diverse
sources, infiltrates air,
infiltrates health, and
blankets ecosystems.
Volatile Organic 5% (approx.) Vehicle emissions, VOCs, artistic creators of

Compounds (VOCs) industrial processes smog, emerge from
vehicles and industries,
painting a toxic
masterpiece in the
atmosphere.

Ozone (O 3 ) Varies (contributor to

smog)

Photochemical reactions,
vehicle emissions

O 3 , a dual-faced chemist:
high up, shields; down
below, a key player in
smog, impacting both
health and climate.

Ammonia (NH 3 ) Varies (mainly from

agriculture)

Agricultural activities,
livestock farming

NH 3 , a rural whisper and
urban intruder, drifts from
agriculture, impacting air
quality and ecosystem
balance.
Methane (CH4) Varies (greenhouse gas) Livestock, rice paddies,
fossil fuel extraction

CH 4 , the potent
greenhouse player, seeps
into the air, elevating
temperatures and
contributing to climate
woes.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) Varies (industrial

processes)

Oil and gas refining,
industrial emissions

H 2 S, an industrial ghost,
haunts the air, bringing
foul odors and health
concerns to communities
nearby.

Lead (Pb) Varies (phasing out due
to regulations)

Lead-based fuels, industrial
emissions

Pb, a legacy pollutant,
echoes from past fuel use,
leaving its mark on air
quality, health, and the
environment.

Impact on Human Health
 Respiratory Issues: The percentage of air pollution chemicals correlates with respiratory diseases such as
asthma, bronchitis, and heightened allergies among the population.
 Cardiovascular Problems: Prolonged exposure to the percentage of pollutants in the air is linked to heart
diseases and an elevated risk of mortality.
 Cancer Risk: Certain chemicals contributing to the air pollution percentage exhibit carcinogenic properties,
posing a risk to public health.

Impact on the Environment
 Ecosystem Damage: The percentage of pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, results in
acid rain, harming aquatic ecosystems and forests.
 Climate Change: Greenhouse gas emissions, constituting a percentage of air pollution, contribute to global
warming and climate change.
 Biodiversity Loss: Urban areas with high percentages of air pollution can negatively impact plant and
animal species, leading to a reduction in biodiversity.
Present Challenges in Indian Cities
 Urbanization: Rapid urban development in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata contributes to a
significant percentage of vehicular emissions and increased industrial activities, exacerbating air quality
concerns.
 Industrial Practices: Certain cities, including Kanpur and Lucknow, witness a higher percentage of
pollutants released into the air due to specific industrial practices.
 Global Transport Impact: Major port cities such as Chennai and Vishakhapatnam experience the dispersal
of pollutants, contributing to a higher percentage of air pollution on an international scale.
Future Perspective and Prompts
 Stringent Regulations: India’s future efforts include reinforcing environmental regulations to govern
emissions from industries and vehicles, thereby reducing the percentage of pollutants in the air.
 Green Technologies: Advancements in green technologies, particularly in metropolitan cities like
Bengaluru and Hyderabad, aim to decrease the percentage of air pollution through innovations like
electric vehicles and sustainable industrial practices.
 Public Awareness and Prompts: Growing public awareness, prompted by initiatives in cities like Pune and
Ahmedabad may drive individuals and industries to adopt more sustainable practices, thereby
contributing to a reduction in the overall percentage of air pollution.
Conclusion
India faces a pressing need to address the alarming percentage of chemicals contributing to air pollution in its
cities. Collaborative efforts involving stringent regulations, technological innovations, and heightened public
awareness are pivotal for achieving a future characterized by cleaner air and enhanced health across the