Similarly, the comparative analysis of pollutant concentrations between pre-lockdown (01-23 March 2020) and lockdown (24 March-12 May 2020) periods has shown a huge reduction in the ambient concentration of air pollutants, 47.3% (NO), 49% (NO2), 49% (NOX), 10% (SO2), 37.7% (PM2.5), and 15.6% (O3), resulting in improved.
CURRENT AFFAIR
- The nationwide lockdown, to prevent COVID-19, has led to minimal air pollution in over 90 cities including Delhi.
- Environmentalists have welcomed the reduction in pollution and have urged the government to treat it as a wake-up call and stop the development at the cost of the environment.
REASONS
- Reduced the traffic movement.
- Shutting down of industries and construction sites and rains.
- According to the centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the measures against COVID-19 have led to a drop in major pollutants.
PM2.5
- It is an atmospheric Particulate Matter of diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, which is around 3% of the diameter of a human hair.
- It causes respiratory problems and also reduces visibility.
- It is an endocrine disruptor that can affect insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity thus contributing to diabetes.
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)
- NOx pollution is mainly caused due to a high motor vehicle traffic and can increase the risk of respiratory conditions
- Generally in March, pollution is in the moderate category in the Air Quality Index while currently, it is in the satisfactory or good category.
- Under the good category, pollution is considered to be at the lowest and the air is believed to be the healthiest to breathe.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data
- Air quality in the National Capital Territory of Delhi is presently in the good category.
- Kanpur, which has high pollution levels normally, is in the satisfactory category.
- 92 other cities with CPCB monitoring centres have recorded minimal air pollution, with the air quality ranging between good and satisfactory.
Observations and Suggestions
- The low AQI and the blue skies prove that air pollution was mostly anthropomorphic (man-made), which can be reduced by conscious efforts.
- Reducing air pollution by rapidly slowing down the economy is not an ideal way so mindful use of technologies and low-emission alternatives can be opted to minimise the pollution.
- It was also emphasised that air pollution weakens the lungs so countries like India with higher pollution and lower nutrition levels will be more affected by COVID-19 leading to higher morbidity and deaths.
Air Quality Index
- The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality.
- It focuses on health effects one might experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.
AQI is calculated for eight major air pollutants
- PM2.5
- PM10
- Ground-level ozone
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Ammonia
- Lead
Ground-level ozone
- It is also found in the stratosphere and protects from ultraviolet (UV) rays, while in the troposphere (ground level) it acts as a pollutant.
- It is not a primary pollutant but a secondary one.
- Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight.
- Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in India.
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