The air quality of Delhi continued to be in the "poor" category on Tuesday. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the city's overall air quality index (AQI) at 252 at 11 am. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
On Sunday, the AQI had remained between 'poor' and 'very poor' categories. The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) had last week held a meeting with officials of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi governments to discuss the pollution situation in the national capital.
Here are the main causes of air pollution in Delhi
1) Motor vehicle emissions
One of the main causes of poor air quality in Delhi is motor vehicle emissions. Emission by vehicles is increasing the hazardous effects of air pollution. Both, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) have declared emission by vehicles as a major contributor to national capital’s increasing air pollution.
2) Badarpur Thermal Power Station
Built in 1973, it is another major source of air pollution in the national capital. As per reports, it used to produce 80 to 90% of the particulate matter.
In November 2017, during the Great Smog of Delhi, the Badarpur Power Plant was temporarily shut down. However, it was later allowed to restart on 1 February 2018.
From October 15, it is permanently shut.
3) Burning of woods
According to the 2012 census, the national capital is kerosene free and 90% of the households use LPG for cooking. However, the remaining 10% uses cow dung, wood, crop residue and coal for cooking. This is another source of air pollution.
4) Crop burning
With the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Delhi shares its border. Crop burning by the farmers in these states is another main reason for increasing air pollution level in Delhi.
In Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, farmers burn rice stubbles. These states, approximately, set afire 35 million tonnes of crop and the wind carries all the pollutants and dust particles to Delhi.
Lack of active monitoring and reaction by authorities and lack of political priority are some other reasons for air pollution in Delhi
Some critical air pollutants are:
- Carbon dioxide
- Sulfur oxides
- Nitrogen oxides
- Carbon monoxide
- Chlorofluorocarbons
- Ammonia
(With PTI inputs)
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