Keywords
Urban air pollution
Air quality standard
Pollution mitigation plan
How to Cite
Abstract
This thesis explores the intricate relationship between urban air pollution, economic growth, population dynamics, and energy consumption. Addressing impacts on climate change, biodiversity, agriculture, and human health, it emphasizes compromised urban air quality due to pollution sources such as power generation, vehicle traffic, and construction. Key pollutants like particulate matter, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide pose significant health risks. The study identifies road transportation as a primary contributor, underlining alarming statistics from WHO on global air quality, particularly impacting low-level socio-economic regions. Legislations and policies dating back over a century form the foundation for global air pollution control efforts. The research highlights innovative solutions like urban green spaces, smart traffic management, and renewable energy investments. It stresses the importance of public transportation, electric vehicles, clean construction practices, and initiatives to reduce industrial emissions. In response to challenges, the thesis proposes a comprehensive mitigation plan covering strategy such as promoting public transport, energy conservation, recycling, and afforestation. It outlines a way forward, emphasizing integrated urban planning, public awareness campaigns, government policies, and international collaboration. In conclusion, the thesis calls for collective responsibility to address urban air pollution's adverse effects on public health and the environment. The proposed roadmap aims to create sustainable, resilient, and healthier urban environments through a holistic and collaborative approach.
References
Paoletti E, Schaub M, Matyssek R, Wieser G, Augustaitis A, Bastrup-Birk A, et al. Advances of air pollution science: from forest decline to multiple-stress effects on forest ecosystem services. Environ Pollut. 2010; 158(6): 1986-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.11.023
LI ZD, Data E, De Dai IY. Japan-china comparative analysis on measures against sulfur dioxides pollution. IEE Japan, Report. 1999.
Jonidi Jafari A, Charkhloo E, Pasalari H. Urban air pollution control policies and strategies: a systematic review. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2021; 19(2): 1911-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-021-00744-4
WHO. New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution. Copenhagen and Geneva: 22 September 2021. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/22-09-2021-new-who-global-air-quality-guidelines-aim-to-save-millions-of-lives-from-air-pollution
WHO. Improving the capacity of countries to report on air quality in cities. 4 October 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240074446
Hoek G, Brunekreef B, Goldbohm S, Fischer P, van den Brandt PA. Association between mortality and indicators of traffic-related air pollution in the Netherlands: a cohort study. Lancet. 2002; 360(9341):1203-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11280-3
Bell ML, Ebisu K. Environmental inequality in exposures to airborne particulate matter components in the United States. Environ Health Perspect. 2012; 120(12): 1699-1704.
Chi GC, Hajat A, Bird CE, Cullen MR, Griffin BA, Miller KA, et al. Individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status and the association between air pollution and cardiovascular disease. Environ Health Perspect. 2016; 124(12): 1840-7. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP199
Deguen S, Zmirou-Navier D. Social inequalities resulting from health risks related to ambient air quality—a European review. Eur J Public Health. 2010; 20(1): 27-35.
California Energy Commission. Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution Exposure Near High-Volume Roadways. 16 November 2020, Docket Number: 20-IEPR-02, TN# 235613. Available from: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=235613&DocumentContentId=
(Accessed on October 2023).
London Environment Strategy. London: Greater London Authority; May 2018. Available from: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/london_environment_strategy.pdf
Anderson HR. Air pollution and mortality: a history. Atmos Environ. 2009; 43(1): 142-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.09.026
Brunekreef B, Holgate ST. Air pollution and health. Lancet. 2002; 360(9341): 1233-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11274-8
Lv Y, Huang G, Li Y, Yang Z, Sun W. A two-stage inexact joint-probabilistic programming method for air quality management under uncertainty. J Environ Manag. 2011; 92(3): 813-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.10.027
Sokhi RS, Mao H, Srimath ST, Fan S, Kitwiroon N, Luhana L, et al. An integrated multi-model approach for air quality assessment: development and evaluation of the OSCAR air quality assessment system. Environ Model Softw. 2008; 23(3): 268-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2007.03.006
Sunyer J, Saez M, Murillo C, Castellsague J, Martinez F, Antó JM. Air pollution and emergency room admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a 5-year study. Am J Epidemiol. 1993; 137(7): 701-5. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116730
Svartengren M, Strand V, Bylin G, Jarup L, Pershagen G. Short-term exposure to air pollution in a road tunnel enhances the asthmatic response to allergen. Eur Respir J. 2000; 15(4): 716-24. 10.1034/j.1399-3003.2000.15d15.x
Anjaneyulu M, Harikrishna M, Chenchuobulu S. Modeling ambient carbon monoxide pollutant due to road traffic. World Acad Sci Eng Technol. 2006; 17: 103-6.
Badami MG. Transport and urban air pollution in India. Environ Manag. 2005; 36(2): 195-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-004-0106-x
Mashelkar R, Biswas D, Krishnan N, Mathur O, Natarajan R, Niyati K, et al. Report of the expert committee on auto fuel policy. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, New Delhi. 2002.
Molina L, Kolb C, Foy Bd, Lamb B, Brune W, Jimenez J, et al. Air quality in North America’s most populous city–overview of the MCMA-2003 campaign. Atmos Chem Phys. 2007; 7(10): 2447-73. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-7-2447-2007
Molina L, Molina MJ. Air quality in the Mexico Megacity: an integrated assessment. Dordrecht: Springer Science & Business Media; 2002. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0454-1
Singh A, Gupta H, Gupta K, Singh P, Gupta V, Sharma R. A comparative study of air pollution in Indian cities. Bull Environ ContamToxicol. 2007; 78(5): 411-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-007-9220-9
Wang H, Fu L, Zhou Y, Du X, Ge W. Trends in vehicular emissions in China’s mega cities from 1995 to 2005. Environ Pollut. 2010; 158(2): 394-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.09.002
Zhou T, Sun J, Yu H. Temporal and spatial patterns of China’s main air pollutants: years 2014 and 2015. Atmosphere. 2017; 8(8):137. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8080137
Bell ML, Davis DL, Gouveia N, Borja-Aburto VH, Cifuentes LA. The avoidable health effects of air pollution in three Latin American cities: Santiago, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City. Environ Res. 2006; 100(3): 431-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2005.08.002
Quraishi TA. Discussion on air pollution abatement strategies for residential solid-fuel burning appliances. Int J Environ Stud. 1988; 31(1): 19-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207238508710410
Stern AC, Professor E. History of air pollution legislation in the United States. J Air Pollut Control Assoc. 1982; 32(1): 44-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1982.10465369
Horowitz CA. Introduction note to Paris agreement. Int Leg Mater. 2016; 55: 740-55. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020782900004253
Rogelj J, Den Elzen M, Höhne N, Fransen T, Fekete H, Winkler H, et al. Paris agreement climate proposals need a boost to keep warming well below 2 C. Nature. 2016; 534(7609): 631-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18307
(EC) EC. Council directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999 relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air. Available from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31999L0030 (Accessed on 24 Mar 2016).
(UNECE). 1979 Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution. Available from: https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/lrtap/full%20text/1979.CLRTAP.e.pdf (Accessed on 25 Oct 2016).
Hardie RW, Thayer GR, Barrera-Roldán A. Development of a methodology for evaluating air pollution options for improving the air quality in Mexico City. Sci Total Environ. 1995; 169(1-3): 295-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(95)04661-J
Sousa Santos G, Sundvor I, Vogt M, Grythe H, Haug TW, Høiskar BA, et al. Evaluation of traffic control measures in Oslo region and its effect on current air quality policies in Norway. Transp Policy. 2020; 99: 251-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2020.08.025
Murray GDL, Abbafati C, Abbas KM, Abbasi M, Abbasi-Kangevari M, Abd-Allah F, et al. Five insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study, 2019. Lancet. 2020; 396(10258): 1135-59, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31404-5
Beig G, Sahu SK, Singh V, Tikle S, Sobhana SB, Gargeva P, et al. Objective evaluation of stubble emission of North India and quantifying its impact on air quality of Delhi. Sci Total Environ. 2020; 709: 136126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136126
IHME 2020, State of Global Air 2020: A Special Report on Global Exposure to Air Pollution and Its Health Impacts. Available from: https://www.stateofglobalair.org/resources
IQAir. 2020, World Air Quality Report. 2020, pp. 1-35. Available from: https://www.iqair.com/world-most-polluted-cities/world-air-quality-report-2020-en.pdf
Roychowdhury A, Somvanshi A. Breathing Space; How to Track and Report Air Pollution Under the National Clean Air Programme. New Delhi: Center for Science and Environment; 2020. Available from: https://www.cseindia.org/content/downloadreports/9923
Bera B, Bhattacharjee S, Shit PK, Sengupta N, Saha S, et al. Significant impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on urban air pollution in Kolkata (India) and amelioration of environmental health. Environ Dev Sustain. 2021; 23(5): 6913-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00898-5
Das M, Das A, Sarkar R, Saha S, Mandal P. Regional scenario of air pollution in lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from major urban agglomerations of India. Urban Climate. 2021; 37: 100821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2021.100821
Dasgupta P, Srikanth K. Reduced air pollution during COVID-19: learnings for sustainability from Indian, Cities. Global Trans. 2020; 2: 271-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glt.2020.10.002
Gautam AS, Dilwaliya NK, Srivastava A, Kumar S, Bauddh K, et al. Temporary reduction in air pollution due to anthropogenic activity switch-off during COVID-19 lockdown in northern parts of India. Environ Dev Sustain. 2021; 23: 8774-97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00994-6
Gulia S, Goyal N, Mendiratta S, Biswas T, Goyal SK, Kumar R. COVID 19 Lockdown - Air Quality Reflections in Indian Cities. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 2021; 21: 200308. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200308
Karuppasamy MB, Seshachalam S, Natesan U, Ayyamperumal R, Karuppannan S, Gopalakrishnan G, et al. Air pollution improvement and mortality rate during COVID-19 pandemic in India: global intersectional study. Air Qual Atmos Health. 2020; 13: 1375-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00892-w
Pandey A, Brauer M, Cropper L, Balakrishnan K, Mathur P, Dey S, et al. Health and economic impact of air pollution in the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Planet Health. 202; 5(1): e25-e38. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30298-9
Ravindra K, Singh T, Biswal A, Singh V, Mor S. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on ambient air quality in megacities of India and implication for air pollution control strategies. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2021; 28: 21621-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11808-7
Sathe Y, Gupta P, Bawase M, Lamsal L, Patadia F, Thipse S. Surface and satellite observations of air pollution in India during COVID-19 lockdown: implication to air quality. Sustain Cities Soc. 2021: 66: 102688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102688
Kolluru SSR, Patra AK, Nazneen, Nagendra SMS. Association of air pollution and meteorological variables with COVID-19 incidence: evidence from five megacities in India Environ Res. 2021;195: 110854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110854
Sharma S, Zhang M, Anshika, Gao J, Zhang H, Kota SH. Effect of restricted emissions during COVID-19 on air quality in India. Sci Total Environ. 2020; 728: Article 138878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138878
Shehzad K, Xiaoxing L, Ahmad M, Majeed A, Tariq F, Wahab S. Does air pollution upsurge in megacities after Covid-19 lockdown? A spatial approach, Environ. Res. 2021; 197: 111052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111052
Singh V, Singh S, Biswal A, Kesarkar AP, Mor S, Ravindra K. Diurnal and temporal changes in air pollution during COVID-19 strict lockdown over different regions of India. Environ Pollut. 2020; 266: 115368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115368
Vadrevu KP, Eaturu A, Biswas S, Lasko K, Sahu S, Garg JK, Justice C. Spatial and temporal variations of air pollution over 41 cities of India during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Sci Rep. 2020; 10: 16574. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72271-5
Pachouri R, Saxena AK. Emissions Control in Thermal Power Stations: Issues, Challenges, and the Way Forward. New Delhi: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); 2020, pp. 1-20. Available from: https://www.teriin.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/emissions-control-thermal-power.pdf
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2023 Madhab C. Jena, Sarat K. Mishra, Himanshu S. Moharana