India’s PM 2.5 levels were reported at 50.6 µg/m3 in 2024, over ten times the WHO safe limit. The IQAir report indicates a slight decrease from the previous year but highlights significant pollution issues in major cities. Only seven countries met WHO guidelines, with India falling behind several nations and struggling with severe air quality challenges due to industrial and vehicular emissions.
In 2024, India’s PM 2.5 concentration registered at 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit by over tenfold. This figure marks a slight decline from 54.4 µg/m3 in 2023, as detailed in the latest annual report by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology firm. The report’s focus is primarily on PM 2.5, which refers to harmful inhalable particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers and smaller, while also acknowledging other pollutants affecting air quality in India, such as PM10, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone.
According to the IQAir report, India ranked poorly globally, with only seven countries, including Australia and New Zealand, adhering to the WHO guideline of a maximum annual PM 2.5 concentration of 5 µg/m3. India’s air quality is notably worse than those of Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Certain cities in India, such as Byrnihat, surpassed the WHO limits significantly, with Byrnihat recording an alarming 128.2 µg/m3 and New Delhi at 91.8 µg/m3, even higher than Dhaka, Bangladesh, and N’Djamena, Chad.
The report echoes concerns from IQAir’s global CEO, Frank Hammes, highlighting that air pollution poses an imminent threat to human health and environmental stability. He emphasized the importance of air quality data in raising awareness, informing policy, and guiding public health interventions. Furthermore, he underscored that communities must be empowered to take proactive measures against air pollution to safeguard future generations.
Cities such as Faridabad and Gurugram have recorded substantial PM 2.5 levels at 101.2 µg/m3 and 87.5 µg/m3, respectively, revealing a 7% decrease in India’s overall PM 2.5 levels compared to the previous year. Contributing factors to the prevalent air pollution include rapid industrialization, vehicle emissions, and construction dust.
Local authorities, such as Vijay Choudhary from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, acknowledge the ongoing challenges in controlling emissions. He mentioned that measures have been implemented, including restrictions on industrial emissions. However, geographical and meteorological conditions exacerbate pollution, especially during winter seasons, leading to severe smog episodes. Advocacy groups like Making Model Gurugram, led by Gauri Sareen, have expressed concerns about the slow response to air quality issues, especially affecting vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.
Avinash Chanchal from Greenpeace India pointed out that inadequate public transportation infrastructure significantly contributes to rising pollution levels. He criticized the insufficient progress from the government’s clean air action plans and highlighted road transport emissions as a primary cause of PM 2.5 concentrations. According to Chanchal, strengthening public transport should be a national priority to effectively combat air pollution in India.
In conclusion, the IQAir report underscores India’s alarming air quality, evidencing an over tenfold exceedance of PM 2.5 concentration above WHO guidelines in 2024. While there has been a slight decline in levels compared to 2023, major cities continue to grapple with dangerously high pollution rates. Addressing this pressing issue necessitates immediate governmental action, improved infrastructure, and active community engagement to promote sustainable air quality management practices.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
