In India, the practice of crop stubble burning, particularly after the rice harvest in states like Punjab and Haryana, leads to significant air quality deterioration. This agricultural technique is used to prepare fields for new planting by burning the remaining plant material, releasing large amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the air. In Delhi, this smoke combines with urban pollution, including emissions from vehicles and construction, creating severe smog, especially during the colder months when air circulation is poor, thus exacerbating air pollution issues significantly .

Biomagnification refers to the process where pollutants, such as heavy metals, increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. This occurs because organisms at each trophic level accumulate contaminants from their prey. The ecological significance is profound as top predators can experience toxic levels of pollutants, leading to reproductive, behavioral, and health issues. This process can reduce biodiversity and alter ecosystem dynamics, potentially leading to the decline of key species and altering food web structures .

The National Air Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recommends several measures to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution. Individuals are advised to stay indoors during early mornings and evenings when pollution levels are highest and to avoid strenuous activity outdoors. Drinking plenty of water and consuming foods rich in antioxidants, like fruits high in vitamin C, can help flush out toxins and boost immunity. The use of nasal filters or air purifiers, integrating air-purifying plants into homes, and avoiding polluted areas like main roads can offer additional protections. Communities should focus on reducing vehicular emissions and curbing the burning of waste .

Plastic pollution has been acknowledged as a significant threat due to its contribution to water pollution and degradation of agricultural land as it releases toxic pollutants into the environment. These pollutants can enter the food chain as microplastics, impacting both the ecosystem and human health. To combat this, Maharashtra has imposed a ban on the manufacture, use, sale, and distribution of single-use plastic items including bags, spoons, and thermocol items. However, exceptions are made for certain necessary items like medical packaging and tarpaulin sheets .

China has become the world's largest producer of CO2 due to its rapid industrialization and reliance on coal-powered energy. Despite leading in total emissions, China's per capita pollution ranks much lower—78th globally—indicating the emissions are concentrated with its massive population. Therefore, while the country contributes significantly to global CO2 levels, the average individual's carbon footprint is smaller compared to those in countries with higher per capita emissions .

Urban pollution typically arises from vehicles, industrial emissions, and construction activities, characterized by high levels of particulate matter and NOx gases. In contrast, rural pollution often comes from agricultural activities like crop burning and the use of fertilizers and pesticides. In regions like Delhi, the combination of these pollution types can intensify air quality issues. The burning of agricultural waste releases smoke that, when mixed with urban emissions, creates a dense smog. This mix is further aggravated by prevailing weather conditions and topographical features that trap air pollutants, leading to severely degraded air quality .

Both natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to global air quality deterioration. Anthropogenic sources, including mobile sources like vehicles and stationary sources like power plants, significantly emit pollutants. Developing regions, heavily reliant on coal and industrial outputs, further exacerbate air quality issues. For instance, China and the United States are major polluters due to their industrial activities. Natural sources such as wildfires and volcanic eruptions also release pollutants, but these are less controllable compared to anthropogenic ones. Overall, human-related activities play an increasingly significant role in air pollution .

Pollution negatively impacts human health worldwide, causing a range of serious health problems. Adverse air quality is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and premature deaths. For instance, ozone pollution can result in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. In China, air pollution has been associated with approximately 1.2 million premature deaths annually, while water pollution in developing countries, such as India, results in thousands of deaths daily due to waterborne diseases from contaminated drinking water .

Air pollution has several detrimental effects on the environment that result in long-term implications. For example, the emission of carbon dioxide causes ocean acidification and contributes to global warming, affecting ecosystems worldwide. Smog and haze can reduce sunlight available for photosynthesis, damaging plant life. Additionally, nitrogen oxides can alter soil and ecosystem compositions by fertilizing land through rainfall. Over time, these changes can lead to reduced biodiversity, infertile soils, and widespread ecological imbalances, which affect all trophic levels within food webs .

Delhi's air pollution problem is primarily due to a mix of rural and urban pollution. During the winter months, farmers in nearby states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh burn crop stubble after harvesting rice, which contributes significantly to air pollution. This smoke mixes with pollutants from urban sources like construction, vehicles, and fires used for cooking and heating. The issue is intensified as North India's topography acts as a basin that traps pollution, coupled with unusually slow air currents, allowing polluted air to linger. This combination of geographical and environmental factors makes Delhi's air quality particularly poor .