Environmental Studies

A project on “Air Pollution in India”

Coellge name

NAME :

COURSE :

SEMESTER :

COLLEGE ROLL NUMBER :

CU REGISTRATION NUMBER:

CU ROLL NUMBER :

YEAR :
 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks and gratitude to my
respected “Environmental Studies” subject professor Prof.
Techer name and my respected college Principal sir
[Link] principal name, who have given me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic “Air
Pollution in India”. This project has helped me to do a lot of
researches and I also came to know about so many new
things. Their continuous guidance, help and encouragement
has made it possible to bring this project work into a success.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my parents

because without their help this project would not have been
successful. Finally, I would like to thank my dear friends who
have been with me all the time and helped me to finish the
project in limited time frame.
Yours Sincerely
Ayan Sarkar
 Index

Serial
No. Particulars Page No.

Introduction: 1-1
i)Definition of Pollution
1. 1-1
ii)Definition of Air Pollution
ccciii)Types of Air Pollutants 1-2

2. Causes of Air Pollution India 3-4

3. Effects of Air Pollution India 5-6

Measures to be taken to reduce Air

4. 7-8
Pollution

5. Case Study of Air Pollution India 9-10

6. Conclusion 11-11

7. Bibliography 12-12
 Page no.1

Introduction
Definition of Environmental Pollution
When due to the introduction of contaminants in nature, an undesirable change
occurs in nature which directly causes harmful effects to the plants and animals, and
then this phenomenon is called Environmental Pollution.
Definition of air pollution
Air pollution can be defined as the presence of toxic chemicals or compounds
(including those of biological origin) in the air, at a level that can result in health
risk. At large, air pollution means the presence of chemicals or compounds in the
air which is not usually present or present at a very small amount and the presence
or increase of these compounds decreases the quality of air or cause harmful
changes to the quality of life (such as the damaging of the ozone layer or causing
global warming).
Types of Air Pollutants
Air pollutants are the substances introduced in the air due to which the
usefulness of air decreases.
The air pollutants are mostly of two types:
1: Particulate Pollutant;
2: Gaseous Pollutant.
1: Particulate Pollutant: Particulate matter is a mixture of solids and liquids,
including carbon, complex organic chemicals, sulphates, nitrates, mineral dust, and
also water suspended in the air. Particulate Matter varies in size. Depending on size
it can be classified into two types:-
 A: PM2.5, and
B: PM10 .
Page No.2

A: PM2.5:- PM2.5 refers to particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5

microns (2.5µm), and these are known as fine particles.
B: PM10:- PM10 refers to particles with a diameter smaller than 10
microns (10µm) – that’s 100 times smaller than a millimetre.

Particulate Matter

2. Gaseous Pollutants: In Gaseous Pollutants, There can be mainly NO2, SO2 and
O3.
NO2: this pollutant emits from man-made sources and volcano eruption.
It contributes to particle pollution and also in formation of ground-level O3.
SO2: these pollutant forms due to the burning of coal, oil, diesel. It also
converts to sulphates in the air which plays a major role in particle
pollution.
O3: The O3 in the stratosphere filters UV light from sun rays but the O3 in
the troposphere generated from the factories chemicals are harmful to
human health.
 Page No.3

Causes of air pollution in India

 Industrial chimney wastes: -
The gases mainly SO2, NO2 emits from the chimneys of the factories. The
cement factories emit a lot of dust from chimneys which results in multiple health
hazards. Stone crushers and hot mix plants emit harmful particles. The food and
fertilizer factories emit acid vapours in the air which later causes acid rain.
 Thermal Power Stations: -
In our country, there are numerous power stations and superpower
thermal stations. A large number of coals are burned in these thermal
power stations, which cause the emission of a large amount of fly ash,
hydrocarbons, SO2, CO2 and other extremely harmful gases. The small coal
particles emitted from these power stations are often of PM2.5. For example
Badlapur power station is a reason of air pollution in Delhi.

 Automobiles:
Buses, taxis, private cars, motorcycles play a crucial role in air pollution.
The vehicles emit gases like SO2, CO2, CO other extremely harmful gases.
The cars also release PM2.5 and PM10 as black ash. Very old cars emit
black smoke. This black smoke contains a huge amount of PM2.5 and PM10.
The cars nowadays have ac installed which makes the air warm causing
global warming.
 Page No.4

 Fuel and biomass burning: -

Fuelwood and biomass cakes are used as fuel for cooking in rural areas of
India. The carbon-containing gases that release while burning the biomass
and fuelwood in chullas are more reactive than clean liquefied petroleum
gases. The Indian stoves are also not efficient so they release more carbon
than usual. In rural area wastes like plastics are also used as fuel for
cooking which releases more harmful gases like CO, SO2, etc.

 Fuel Adulteration: -
Many auto-rickshaws and taxis in India use adulterated fuel in their cars
which releases more harmful pollutants from cars than the usual fuel.
Adulterated fuel increases tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) and
carcinogens like benzene and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
 Indoor air Pollution: -
Household electronic devices are polluting our air passively. The
fridge releases CFC like harmful substances which destroy O3 layer
destruction. The AC is increasing the heat of our air constantly by
releasing CFC and releasing heat from inside of our house to outside thus it
may decrease the heat inside of our house but increases the temperature
outside. The chimneys of our houses releasing smoke generated in our
kitchens to outside. This smoke also contains huge amount of PM2.5 and
PM10.
 Page No.5

Effects of Air Pollution in India

 Global Warming: -
Global warming has become a subject of great concern to scientists and
environmentalists. Global Warming is a direct consequence of the
greenhouse effect which results due to the introduction of CO2, methane
like gases in the air. Due to global Warming the icebergs and areas like
Antarctica, Greenland are melting which in turn increasing the water level
in seas and submerging the areas near to the sea.

 Respiratory Health Problem: -

Air pollution has one of the most worrying effects on humans. The
carbons, black ashes can cause respiratory illness like coughs, asthma and
others. Inhalation of toxic gases like SO2, NO2, and NO etc. directly affects
the lungs and the other respiratory organs. This poor oxidation can also
lead to cardiovascular problems.

 Acid Rain: -
The toxic gases like SO2, NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) introduced in the air
due fuel burning and other reasons accumulate in the atmosphere and
reacts with the water. Thus dilute Sulphuric acid, nitric acid formed and
these acids poured on the surface with the rain. These acid rain skin cancer
 and skin deceases and it also makes the soil infertile.
Page No.6
 Smog affect:
The smog effect occurs when dark fog concentrated in the cities and
fields. Smog can cause health problems such as asthma, emphysema,
chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems and eye irritation. It can
also reduce our body resistance to colds and lung infections. It can cause
property damage. The ozone in smog can inhibit plant growth can do
extensive damage to the fields and crops.
 Extinction of the animal species:
With the melting of the ice in poles sea level rises. Many animal species
whose survival depends on the oceans and rivers are in danger. Current
change, ocean temperature change and migratory cycle changes are forcing
the animals, birds to seek food in an environment which are unknown to
them. Due to the melting of ice the life of animals like penguins, polar
bears are in danger as they cannot live without ice.

 Retrogression of fields:
Acid Rain, climate change and smog damages the earth surface.
Contaminated water and gases enter the soil and changes the composition
of the earth soil which in turn affecting agriculture by changing the crop
cycle and composition of the food we all eat.
 Detoriation of buildings and monuments:
Air pollutants deteriorate and change the constitution of building
materials. The air pollutants like SO2 and nitrogen oxides can be the reason
of discolouration, loss of material and structural failing of the buildings.
Thus the buildings got weakened at an accelerated rate over time. The
historical monuments are also greatly affected due to the acid rain. The
 monuments are getting discoloured.
Page No.7
Measures to be taken to reduce Air
Pollution in India
 Use Filters in industrial chimneys and house chimneys: -
The gas that emits from the chimneys of our factories and houses is
harmful .Use of filters will reduce the effect of the harmful gases
absorbing in the air.
 Reduce the use of private cars: -
Reduction of use of private cars and taking public vehicles will reduce the
emission of harmful smoke in the air from cars. It will also reduce the
chances of traffic congestion.
 Stop burning non-biological and biological wastes: -
The people villages in India use plastics, leaves as fuel for cooking. But
we need to stop it as fast as possible by telling what harm this does to our
environment.
 Use of Solar power: -
we can use the sunlight for our electric and cooking purposes. The solar
cookers can be a good replacement for the LPG. For the lights fans of our
houses solar panels can be used. It may not replace our full requirement but
a few amounts of replacement can help a lot to decrease coal burning in
power stations
 Use of battery-driven vehicles: -
In place of petrol vehicles, we can use battery-driven vehicles which
reduce the release of toxic gases and particulate matters in the air from the
car.
 Recycling of the wastes: -
People have to learn to reuse and recycle. The non-biodegradable wastes
have to be reused. The biodegradable and non-biodegradable must be kept
in different places and the processing of non-biodegradable wastes must be
done and biodegradable wastes can be used as fertilizer in our houses or
in fields.
 Page No.8
 The government has to make strict traffic rules to stop traffic congestion in
the roads. The fines for breaking traffic rules must be increased. The
government need to focus on the solar plant projects. The government need to
make rules to place filters in the cars which emits black smoke. The
government also need to take steps for waste management.
 Non Government officials like NGOs’ also need to make people aware of
the harmful consequences of air pollution. They need to Survey different areas
of the country about the air pollution index so that government can come to
know about intensity of air pollution in different areas. The non-
government officials like NavAlt Solar & Electric Boats, made a solar ferry
of 75 seats, Cellzyme Biotech from Coimbatore made discovered a process to
reduce the environmental footprint, agnismukh manufactures energy efficient
gas burners, chakr innovation created retro-fit emission control device for
diesel generators which decreases emission of PM by ~90% from exhaust air.

 Afforestation: -
Lastly normal people, government and non-government officials must
focus on planting trees as the best way to make the air fresh and clean is to
plant trees. The Afforestation programmes must be arranged. People must
be made aware about planting trees
 Page No.9

Case Study of Air Pollution India

1. Air pollution in Delhi:
 The air pollution in Delhi is the worst among the 1650 cities around the
world by WHO.
 The air quality index of Delhi is moderate (100-200) between January to
September but it decreases significantly poor (301-400) and very poor (401-
500) or hazardous (501+) level during October to December i.e. during winter
time.
 Between various reasons of this to happen, some of are vehicles dust, cold
weather and stubble burning.
 The stubble burning northern Indian mainly in Punjab and Haryana has
the greatest impact to the air pollution in Delhi in winter. Every year the
farmers of Northern Indian burn more than 23 million tons of stubble. The
smoke files through 250km and reaches Delhi and creates a hazardous
situation. They burn stubble in summer also but warm breeze disperses smog
quickly but in winter plummeting temperatures and low wind speed spread
the smoke far and wide.
 Due to this stubble burning the sky of Delhi get covered with smoke fully.
It becomes an extreme problem to even breathe. The visibility comes to zero.
Aeroplanes cannot fly. Cars get stuck in road. Normal life comes to a halt.
And this happens every year.
 In 2017 November, “The great smog of Delhi” occurred, in this time the air
pollution spike over the acceptance level. The whole Delhi got covered in
smog. In November 7, the PM2.5 reaches to 710 microgram per cubic meter
and in November 8, which is considered as red letter day in the history of
Delhi, in that day the PM2.5 level reaches 999 microgram per cubic meter.
This decrease to 300 after 2 days while the safe limit is 60 microgram per
cubic meter. To take breath in Delhi on November 8 is very similar to smoke
50cigartes per day.
 Page No.10

2. Air Pollution in Kolkata:

 Kolkata, the capital of India, is known as one of the most polluted and
unplanned city in India. In winter, air pollution in Kolkata become worse
than all other times.
 The main reason of the pollution in Kolkata is transportation. Poorly
maintained vehicles, petrol cars, poor control are making transportation to
contribute most air pollution ok Kolkata. There are also three thermal power
plants in and around Kolkata, small scale industries are also contributing to
the pollution of Kolkata. By various sources, 51.7% and 24.5% pollution
occurs in Kolkata due to motor vehicles and industry respectively. And other
24.1 % by dust particles from road and other sources.
 The concentration of NO2, RPM increases during November to February
due to heavy air in winter. In this time the pollutants remain concentrated at
the ground level thus increasing the level of NO2 and [Link] are 17
monitoring stations in [Link] report of 2010-2011 report the level of NO2
is high in 12 of 17 stations and critical in other 5. This may also have a
connotation that ambient air pollution in Kolkata has fallen under a
precarious stage which must not be treated safe for healthy city living.
 Due to breathing in polluted air the people of Kolkata mostly suffers from
respiratory chronic diseases. In Behala and Tanga 90% of the respondents
suffered from respiratory problems while in Ultodanga it is 71.4%.In
Ultodanga , 21.4% are affected by ARI,10.7% are affected by COPD, 35.7% are
affected by influenza, and 3.6% are affected by [Link] Behala ARI
comprise 72.4%, COPD comprise 10.3%, and acid fast bacillus (AFB)
comprise 10.3% .In Tanga area 86.1 % people are affected with [Link]
ARI is Acute Respiratory Infection and AFB patients are those who have
symptoms that suggest pulmonary TB or other mycobacterial lung infection,
such as chronic cough.
 Page No.11

Conclusion

So in a nutshell after the discussion about the causes of Air Pollution

and the effects of Air Pollution .We come to know how we are
polluting India to a great extent and it is directly affecting our
health, our environment. Many people die every year due to this air
pollution. Many suffer from extremely hard respiratory and skin
diseases. But this air pollution is not only destroying the
environment of India but also destroying our earth. Our main cities
like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi are hugely affected with the Air
pollution. Nearly every People in these cities have been suffering
from respiratory problems. Some areas of these India are just facing
local Air pollution due to a lack of public awareness. But we can
come out from this. Afforestation, by abiding by the traffic rules, by
increasing the use of public transport, cooperation of government
and non-government officials and public awareness can decrease and
later completely finish the Air pollution. Let us try our best to make
our India and moreover our earth Air pollution-free, free to breathe.
 Page No.12

Bibliography
The links which I have used as references to make
this project:-
[Link]

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]
causes-of-air-pollution-in-india/44769

[Link]
environment/

[Link]
effects-1204194

[Link]
air-pollution/

[Link]
s_of_poor_air_quality

[Link]

[Link]