The term "urban air pollution" refers to air pollution in and around cities. Urban air pollution is worse in densely populated areas. Air pollution has an impact on both human health and the climate of an area. Volcanic eruptions, thunder, dust from the earth's surface, and naturally occurring particulate matter are all natural sources of urban air pollution. Nonetheless, major contributors to urban air pollution are anthropogenic activities. This article will explain to you about Urban Air Pollution which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Sources of Urban Air Pollution

Transportation

• The primary source of urban air pollution is the use of private vehicles (particularly older, diesel models).
• Vehicles contribute roughly one-quarter of the particulate matter in the air.

Use of fossil fuels in the home

• Half of the world's population still cooks and heats with solid fuels.
• These fuels, which include wood, charcoal, and coal, are burned in inefficient stoves, which emit large amounts of health-harming particulate matter and climate-warming pollutants into the surrounding environment.
• Furthermore, it is estimated that 1.2 billion people use kerosene lamps in their homes, contributing to air pollution and increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Generation of electricity

• As the population grows, so does the demand for energy. To meet that demand, fossil fuels are being used extensively to generate energy because they are cheap and readily available.
• Coal-fired power plants are a significant source of urban air pollution.

Agriculture and Combustion

• Material combustion is an activity that emits toxic gases into the atmosphere and contributes to urban air pollution.
• Incomplete combustion emits CO2 and complete combustion emits CO. These two gases contribute to urban air pollution.
• Agriculture also emits other gases into the atmosphere, such as NO2 and methane (CH4).

Beauty Products

• According to a recent study, the use of beauty products contributes to urban air pollution.
• The majority of cosmetics and perfumes contain VOCs, which are released into the environment during use and contribute to urban air pollution.
• As the population grows, so does the use of these beauty products, and thus the pollution.

Exploding Fireworks

• Despite the cracker ban, firecrackers were everywhere during Diwali. It may not be the primary cause of air pollution, but it certainly contributes to its accumulation.

Dust Storm from the Gulf States

• During the 2017 smog, a dust storm from the Gulf countries exacerbated an already deteriorating situation.

Air Pollutants

Issues of Urban Air Pollution

On Ecosystem

• Ground air pollution has a significant impact on the terrestrial ecosystem.
• Acidification of lakes, eutrophication, and mercury accumulation in aquatic food are all effects on the marine ecosystem.
• Soil acidification is another common phenomenon in forest ecosystems caused by long-term pollutant accumulation.
• Soil pollution has an indirect impact on the ecosystems of plants and animals that rely on soil for nutrition.
• Vehicle and agricultural activities can cause wet and dry nitrogen deposition on vegetation and soil surfaces.

On Biodiversity

• The negative effects of air pollutant emissions may have an impact on biological diversity.
• Acid rain is caused by the oxidation and wet deposition of SO2 and NOX emissions in the atmosphere as a result of air pollution. As a result, acid rain can have a negative impact on our biodiversity.
• Another pollutant that is toxic to both plants and animals is ozone. It reduces photosynthesis and causes plants to grow more slowly.
• Ozone can affect lung tissues in both animals and humans, causing respiratory problems.
• Furthermore, increased oxidative stress has an effect on animal reproductive performance, affecting the population of any species.
• This could be harmful, especially for endangered species.

On Human Health

• People who live in areas with poor air quality and high pollution levels are at risk of serious health problems.
• PM, O3, SOX, and NOX emissions have the potential to harm humans' cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
• The impact of PM2.5 concentrations in India concluded that air pollution caused approximately 1.1 million deaths in 2015.

Effect on Human Health

On Materials and Buildings

• SOX and NOX emissions can harm flora and fauna, and material surfaces, and even cause structural damage.
• The negative effects may include discolouration, material loss, structural failure, and soiling.
• This can reduce building service life and severely damage historical monuments and structures.
• One such example is India's white-marble Taj Mahal, which is turning yellow due to SOX emissions from industries and acid rain.
• Another historical monument in India is the Charminar in Hyderabad, which is turning black due to its location in a heavily polluted area.
• The deterioration of such heritage zones is a major source of concern.

Reports on Effects of Air Pollution

State of Global Air 2020 Report

• According to the State of Global Air 2020 Report, India has the highest per capita pollution exposure in the world.
• Over 116,000 infants died in India within a month of birth in 2019 as a result of severe air pollution.
• The report also claims that prenatal exposure to polluted air is linked to low birth weight and premature birth.
• Long-term exposure to outdoor and household air pollution also contributed to more than 1.67 million annual deaths in India from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung diseases, and neonatal diseases in 2019.

World Health Organisation Report

• According to the WHO, toxic air is now the leading environmental cause of premature death, accounting for one in every nine deaths.
• Every year, it kills 7 million people, far more than HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.
• Ambient air pollution is responsible for an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide, primarily from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections in children.

Initiatives by Government to Combat Air Pollution

• Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards as well as industry-specific emission and effluent standards.
• Establishing a monitoring network to assess the quality of the ambient air.
• Cleaner gaseous fuels such as CNG, LPG, and ethanol blending are being introduced.
• The National Air Quality Index (AQI) is being launched.
• Vehicle standards will be upgraded from BS-IV to BS-VI by April 1st, 2020.
• The burning of biomass is prohibited.
• Public transportation network promotion.
• Certificate of Pollution Control.
• Directions issued under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981.
• Installation of continuous (24x7) online monitoring devices by 17 polluting industrial sectors.
• Controlling the bursting of polluting crackers.
• Notification of a graded response action plan for Delhi, identifying source-specific actions for different levels of air pollution, and so on.

Way Forward

• WHO's Four Pillar Strategy: In 2015, WHO adopted a resolution to address the negative health effects of air pollution. This four-pillar strategy calls for a more aggressive global response to the negative health effects of air pollution. These four pillars are as follows:
• Increasing one's knowledge base
• Reporting and monitoring
• Global leadership and coordination
• Institutional capacity strengthening
• Proactive Measure: Interventions such as pollution-monitoring apps should be promoted so that people can avoid the worst times to travel and take alternative city walking routes that keep them away from the most polluted areas.
• The implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is a positive step.
• Innovative Measure: Innovative solutions for in-situ pollution treatment are required.
• The Delhi government, for example, is experimenting with a new organic method of decomposing stubble using the Indian Agriculture Research Institute's "Pusa decomposer."
• Citizens' Responsibilities: Despite numerous ideas and solutions to combat air pollution, conditions remain unchanged. This is because of a lack of serious political will and public participation.
• Citizens should therefore continue to advocate for their right to healthy and sustainable environments and hold governments accountable.
• Addressing Injustice: There are significant injustices at the heart of the air pollution problem, as the poor are the most vulnerable to air pollution.
• As a result, the Polluter Pays principle must be enforced, and an environmental tax must be levied on polluting industries.

Conclusion

Humanity has benefited from urbanisation and rapid industrialization, making life easier and more comfortable. However, both urbanisation and industrialization pose risks to humanity, the most serious of which is air pollution. Denser populations are subjected to higher levels of urban air pollution. Air pollution has an impact on both human health and the climate of a region. More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guidelines, with low-income cities having the highest risk of respiratory diseases and other long-term health problems.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a major source of urban air pollution?

A) Vehicle emissions
B) Deforestation
C) Soil erosion
D) Agricultural activities

2. Which pollutant is commonly associated with vehicle emissions?

A) Sulfur dioxide
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Nitrogen oxides
D) Ozone

3. Which of the following is an effect of air pollution on public health?

A) Increased respiratory diseases
B) Improved immune function
C) Decreased incidence of asthma
D) Improved cardiovascular health

4. What is the primary goal of air quality monitoring?

A) To assess noise pollution
B) To track greenhouse gas emissions
C) To evaluate pollutant concentrations
D) To measure temperature changes

5. Which of the following is an effective strategy to combat urban air pollution?

A) Increasing industrial emissions
B) Promoting electric vehicles
C) Reducing tree plantation
D) Encouraging the use of coal

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the factors contributing to urban air pollution and suggest measures to reduce its impact on public health.

Answer: Urban air pollution is primarily caused by emissions from vehicles, industrial activities, construction sites, waste burning, and agricultural activities. The continuous increase in vehicular traffic and industrialization in urban areas has led to high levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. To reduce the impact of air pollution on public health, several measures can be implemented. These include promoting cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind power, encouraging the use of electric vehicles, implementing stricter industrial emissions standards, and increasing green spaces in cities. Moreover, public awareness campaigns on the health impacts of air pollution and the adoption of environmentally friendly practices can help reduce the overall burden of urban air pollution.

Q2: Discuss the role of urban air pollution in exacerbating climate change. How do pollutants like particulate matter contribute to global warming?

Answer: Urban air pollution plays a significant role in exacerbating climate change by contributing to the accumulation of greenhouse gases and particulate matter in the atmosphere. Pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2) from vehicle emissions and industrial processes contribute directly to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Particulate matter, especially fine particles like PM2.5, can also have indirect effects on climate change. These particles can absorb sunlight and contribute to the warming of the atmosphere, while also influencing cloud formation and altering weather patterns. Addressing urban air pollution is crucial in the fight against climate change, as reducing air pollution levels can lead to a reduction in the concentration of harmful greenhouse gases and particulate matter, helping mitigate global warming.

Q3: Evaluate the effectiveness of government policies and regulations in controlling urban air pollution in India.

Answer: Government policies and regulations have been instrumental in controlling urban air pollution in India, but challenges remain. Policies like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aim to reduce air pollution levels in major cities by setting targets for reducing particulate matter (PM2.5) and PM10 levels. The implementation of stricter vehicle emission standards, promoting the use of cleaner fuels, and incentivizing the adoption of electric vehicles are some of the key strategies employed to tackle pollution. Additionally, the government has taken steps to curb industrial emissions by enforcing stricter regulations and encouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies. However, the enforcement of these policies remains a challenge due to inadequate infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and non-compliance by industries and individuals. While progress has been made, sustained efforts are needed to reduce air pollution levels and improve air quality in Indian cities.

Previous Year Questions on Urban Air Pollution

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Which of the following is the primary cause of urban air pollution?

A) Increased rainfall
B) Industrial emissions
C) Urban sprawl
D) Deforestation

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Industrial emissions, particularly from factories and power plants, are a major cause of urban air pollution.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Evaluate the impacts of urban air pollution on human health and the environment. Suggest effective measures to mitigate its harmful effects."

Answer: Urban air pollution has detrimental impacts on human health, leading to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and premature death. Pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide contribute to these health problems. The environment also suffers, with air pollution leading to poor air quality, acid rain, and global warming. Effective measures include adopting clean technologies, promoting electric vehicles, regulating industrial emissions, increasing green spaces, and raising public awareness about the health effects of pollution.