Download Diseases due to air pollution in metropolitan cities

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 832
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016
Diseases due to air pollution in metropolitan cities
832. SHRIMATI RAJANI PATIL:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state :
(a) whether Government is aware that a large number of people living in metropolitan cities are
suffering from various diseases due to air pollution;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Central Pollution Control Board has assessed the quantum of air pollution in big
cities and suggested remedial measures to face such challenges;
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b) There are no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlationship
of diseases exclusively due to air pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic
manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socio-economic status,
medical history, immunity, heredity etc. of the individuals. Air Pollution could be one of the
triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases.
(c) & (d) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been regularly carrying out air quality
monitoring under the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) since 1984, for three
air pollutants viz., Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter
(PM10) at all the identified locations. The NAMP network presently comprises of 614 operating
monitoring stations located in 254 cities/towns in 29 States and 5 Union Territories across the
country. The analysis of available air quality data of 41 million plus cities suggests that the
concentration of SO2 in all 41 cities are within the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality (
NAAQS) annual standard of 50 µg/m3. 9 out of 41 cities, (namely Delhi, Faridabad, Howrah,
Kalyan-Dombivali, Kolkata, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Navi Mumbai and Thane) exceed the
annual NAAQS of 40 µg/m3 in respect of Oxides of Nitrogen and 38 cities out of 41 cities do
not comply with the annual NAAQS of 60 µg/m3 with regard to Particulate Matter (PM10).
The Government has taken remedial measures to control air pollution which include the
following:i. Launched National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015 starting
with 14 cities and now extended to 23 cities;
ii. Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009, envisaging 12
pollutants;
iii. Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and
universalization of BS-IV by 2017 by 1.4.2020;
iv. Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards;
v. Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
vi. Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel, ethanol blend etc. replacing
petrol and diesel;
vii. Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion
of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, vehicle maintenance;
viii. Promotion of cleaner production processes;
ix. Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air;
x. Formulation of stricter regulations/ rules;
xi. Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to
industries and under Section 18(1) (b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981;
xii. Regular co-ordination meetings are being held at official and Ministerial level with
Delhi and other State Governments within National Capital Region (NCR);
xiii. Action taken by States as per short-term plans have been reviewed and long-term
plans have been formulated by States to mitigate pollution in NCR;
xiv. Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for
prevention of control of pollution from industries.
*****