Delhi’s Winter Smog: A Public Health Catastrophe
Delhi’s Winter Smog: Causes, Health Risks, and Solutions to the Ongoing Air Pollution Problem
Each winter, Delhi, India’s bustling capital, is smothered under a thick layer of smog, turning the air hazardous to breathe. For millions of residents, it’s a desperate race for clean air. Despite increasing public awareness and repeated warnings from experts, Delhi’s pollution problem has become an annual crisis
In 2017, I carried out extensive research to discover the root cause and take precautionary measures. This article can be found in The Conversation and various newspapers worldwide.
https://theconversation.com/as-another-smog-season-looms-india-must-act-soon-to-keep-delhi-from-gasping-80376
This November, pollution has soared to alarming heights again. The latest news published by https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wj43vqdlpo states “Air pollution in India's capital Delhi has soared to extremely severe levels, choking residents and engulfing the city in thick smog. Monitors recorded pollution levels of 1,500 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 15:00 IST (09:30 BST), according to tech company IQ Air - 15 times the level the World Health Organization (WHO) considers satisfactory for breathing.”
Delhi's air quality frequently rises to life-threatening levels, and its residents are forced to endure the consequences. PM 2.5 particles about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair are the most dangerous pollutants. These microscopic particles are capable of bypassing the body’s natural defence mechanisms and entering the bloodstream, leading to severe health issues.
To give some perspective, breathing Delhi’s air during peak pollution is similar to smoking one pack of cigarettes a day. The thick haze reduces visibility drastically, making it almost impossible to see a few meters ahead. Public health deteriorates, respiratory problems surge, and daily activities bring to a halt as residents cope with the unbearable air. Tragically, despite similar crises for the last 8 years Delhi continues to struggle without adequate long-term solutions.
The smog that blankets Delhi is the result of several factors—natural, industrial, and human-driven. Three primary contributors exacerbate the pollution levels each year:
Crop Burning
One of the major causes of Delhi’s pollution is the seasonal burning of crop stubbles by farmers in neighbouring states, Punjab and Haryana. After harvesting rice, farmers burn the leftover straw to prepare the fields for the next crop. This practice releases large amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the air. Prevailing winds carry this pollution towards Delhi, significantly contributing to the city’s winter smog. This problem peaks in October and November. The problem gets worse when the harvest season coincides with the onset of colder weather, with very low wind speed and no rain. https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Wind-speed,New-Delhi, India
Fireworks During Diwali
The celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, worsen the pollution crisis. During the festivities, fireworks are widely used, releasing toxic gases, heavy metals, and large amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere. Combined with the smoke from crop burning, these fireworks worsen the already poor air quality.
Local Pollution Sources
Within Delhi itself, a multiple of factors contributes to the pollution levels. The city is home to millions of vehicles, many of which are old and heavily polluting. Additionally, construction activities, industrial emissions, and the use of diesel generators during power cuts all add to the air quality degradation. All of these sources combine to create a toxic mix that blankets the city for weeks during the winter months.
The Health Impacts
The health consequences of air pollution in Delhi are severe, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles can cause a wide range of health issues, both short-term and long-term:
Short Term Effects:
Exposure to high levels of pollution can cause immediate discomfort, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.
Long Term Effects:
Continuous exposure to hazardous air quality can lead to chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer. Children, whose lungs are still developing, and the elderly, whose immune systems are often weaker, are at greater risk of long-term health complications.
Solutions: What Can Be Done?
Addressing Delhi’s pollution crisis requires a mix of short-term and long-term measures, both from government authorities and individual citizens. Several practical solutions could be implemented to reduce pollution and its impact:
Banning Crop Burning
A significant portion of Delhi’s pollution comes from the burning of crop stubble in Punjab and Haryana. To combat this, the government must take a more proactive approach:
Enforce strict bans on crop burning and ensure that farmers adhere to these rules.
Provide financial incentives and subsidies to farmers to encourage them to adopt more eco-friendly methods, such as using machines to clear stubble instead of burning it.
Regulating Fireworks
While Diwali is an important cultural event, the widespread use of fireworks adds significantly to pollution. Authorities should regulate the use of fireworks during the festival, promoting eco-friendly alternatives that produce less smoke and fewer toxins. Raising public awareness about the environmental damage caused by fireworks and encouraging people to celebrate in cleaner ways would make a big difference.
Reducing Vehicle Emissions
Delhi needs to prioritize reducing emissions from its vast fleet of vehicles, particularly older, poorly maintained ones. The government could implement measures such as:
Banning older vehicles that don’t meet the required emissions standards.
Encouraging the use of public transport, carpooling, and other alternative modes of transport.
Subsidising electric and hybrid vehicles to make them more affordable and encourage a shift to cleaner transportation options.
Additionally, phasing out diesel-powered trucks from the city centre could drastically reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
Upgrading the Power Supply
In many parts of Delhi, power cuts are frequent, and people rely on diesel generators to power their homes and businesses. These generators contribute to air pollution by emitting harmful pollutants. To tackle this issue, the government should focus on providing a reliable, 24-hour electricity supply and encourage the use of cleaner energy sources like solar power to reduce the reliance on diesel generators.
Public Education and Information
It is crucial that authorities keep the public informed about air quality levels and offer advice on how to stay safe during periods of high pollution. Regular air quality updates should be provided through television, radio, and social media. On days when pollution levels reach dangerous levels, schools should close, and people should be encouraged to stay indoors. Additionally, wearing masks and avoiding outdoor activities can help protect individuals from the harmful effects of polluted air.
Expanding Green Spaces
Increasing the number of trees and green spaces in Delhi could help mitigate pollution by absorbing harmful pollutants. Green belts and parks should be expanded throughout the city. These areas not only provide a natural buffer against pollution but also help reduce noise levels and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
Delhi’s pollution crisis is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health emergency that requires urgent action.
Solving Delhi’s pollution problem requires the collective efforts of government bodies, industries, and citizens alike. Farmers must be given alternatives to crop burning, residents should embrace cleaner transportation options, and authorities must enforce stricter pollution control measures.
Delhi deserves clean air, and now is the time to take decisive action. Without continued and sustained efforts, the city’s pollution crisis will continue to claim lives and affect millions of residents. By working together, we can create a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable future for Delhi and its citizens.
About the Creator
Vijay Koul
I worked in CSIRO, AU. After retiring I found great joy in embracing writing as a fulfilling hobby. With more time on my hands. This new pursuit allowed me to explore different genres and topics, drawing from my experiences and knowledge.
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Comments (1)
Well written general article on smog and public health hazards for Delhi. In my view a critical emphasis need to be added to failure of public policy, tussle between different levels of governments, attitude if people and lop sided weak enforcement of deterrent system being responsible for recurrence of this problem. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading the article.