EVS Assignment

Samvedna Raj
English Hons.
Roll no. : ENH22007
Introduction:
The national capital of India, Delhi, is renowned for its many historical sites, as well as
it's street food and culture. However, it is also notorious for its air pollution. Delhi, one
of the biggest cities in the world, has struggled with its hazardous

air for many years.

What, though, is air pollution? What is causing this pollution, exactly? What
consequences does this pollution have? How has the government handled it, and how
does it intend to handle it in the future? Let's have a look at it.

Types of pollutants:
Gases, liquid droplets, and solid particles all constitute air pollution.

They are categorised into two primary groups based on the source of the emission:

Primary pollutants: A primary pollutant is a substance released into the air by a

direct source into the atmosphere. The source could be a process that occurs naturally.
such as dust storms, volcanic eruptions, or anthropogenic (caused by human activity)
humans), such as car and industrial pollution. Examples of primary pollutants are
sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and particulate
matter (PM).

Secondary pollutants: Air pollution that is produced as a byproduct of another pollutant

due to interactions between the physical and chemical components of the atmosphere
either by the major pollutants alone or in conjunction with other
atmospheric components. Major examples of secondary pollutants are photochemical
oxidants and secondary particulate matter.

What is air pollution?

Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air—pollutants which are
detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes up to seven
million fatalities worldwide. Currently, nine out of ten people breathe air that contains
more contaminants than the WHO's recommended levels, with those in low-and
middle-income nations suffering the most.

What Causes Air Pollution?

Delhi’s daily average level of suspended PM2.5—fine dust—is six times what
the WHO regards as the maximum safe concentration. It is higher in the winter and can
exceed 50 times the WHO guideline in the weeks following Diwali.

How come Delhi is so polluted? The answers are as layered as the smog itself:

●Geography is one issue. Delhi is located on a fertile, level plain that is bordered by the
Himalayas, which obstructs airflow. As a result of the summer's extreme heat, pollution
is lifted to higher elevations where monsoon winds can clear it.
It can be largely dispersed by the Indian Ocean.

●India is a developing nation with millions of ongoing construction projects. This causes
a variety of dust particles to enter the air, further polluting it.

●Delhi is home to more than 25 million people, making it, quite simply, overcrowded.
More people means more resource use, which finally results in resource exploitation.

●The number of automobiles on Delhi's roads, which is around 14 million, is one of the
city's biggest sources of pollution, along with the production of hazardous gases and
pollutants from various industries.

●Another factor is the burning of fireworks during various festivals, particularly in the
months of October and November.

●Pollution in Delhi is caused by the emission of numerous greenhouse gases and fossil
fuels. Besides these, the states of undoubtedly make the most contribution are
●Punjab and Haryana. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana burn the stubble on their crops
as soon as winter arrives. The smoke is carried by the wind to Delhi, where it causes
weeks of darkness due to the haze that covers the entire city.

What are its effects?

The effects of air pollution on the human body vary based on the type of pollutant, the
time and intensity of exposure, as well as other factors, such as an individual's health
risks and the cumulative effects of numerous pollutants or stressors.

●Smog can harm the lungs, especially those of kids, the elderly, and individuals who
work or exercise outside. It can also irritate the eyes and throat.
These additional pollutants make things worse for those who have asthma or allergies.
can make their symptoms worse and start asthma attacks.

●The hallmarks of climate change, such as rising sea levels, more frequent and severe
weather, an increase in the number of heat-related deaths, and an increase in global
warming, are caused by greenhouse gases trapping the earth's heat in the atmosphere.
spreading infectious illnesses.
●When fossil fuels are burned, dangerous gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides
are released into the atmosphere. When water droplets interact with these
contaminants, they turn acidic and release rain that harms both people and animals as
well as plants.

●The main factor contributing to the ozone layer's depletion is the emission of
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, halons, and chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere.
People develop skin ailments and eye issues as a result of the sun's harmful ultraviolet
rays, which the ozone layer's loss cannot stop.

What did the government do?

● ANTI-DUST CAMPAIGN
○Construction sites are routinely inspected, and 586 teams go there every day to make
sure that regulations are being followed.

● BIO-DECOMPOSER
○The state government started spraying PUSA bio-decomposer, free of cost, in the
farmlands of Delhi to combat pollution. Nearly 3,200 acres have already been covered.

● WATER SPRINKLERS
○Till now, 581 water sprinklers, 80 mechanized road sweeping machines, 233 anti-smog
guns at construction sites, 150 vehicles mounted anti-smog guns as well as nine
sprinkling facilities on high-rise buildings are operational in the national capital.

● FIRECRACKER BAN
○ The Delhi government imposed a complete ban on firecrackers on September 14,
2022. A ban was imposed on the manufacturing, sale, and use of fireworks.

● PUC CERTIFICATES
○ Earlier this year, the Delhi government made Pollution Under Control Certificates
(PUCC) mandatory at filling stations in Delhi. In August and September, more than 20
lakh PUC certificates were issued. Meanwhile, more than 68,500 challans for violations
of PUC certificates were issued.

● HOTSPOT SPECIAL MONITORING

○In Delhi, 13 hotspots have been identified as being more polluted than others. Special
monitoring is carried out by DMs, ADMs, and SDMs who have been assigned duty to
ensure that the continued operations of the water sprinklers, anti-smog guns, and other
measures are being considered.

What can we do?

●Conserve energy at home, at work, and everywhere else.
●Whenever possible, carpool, take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.
●Consider buying portable gasoline containers labelled "spill-proof" wherever possible.
●Use environmentally friendly paints and cleaning products whenever possible.
●Leaves and yard waste should be mulched or composted.
●Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.
●Reduce or eliminate the use of fireplaces and wood stoves.
●Keep leaves, trash, and other materials from being burned.
Conclusion:
Pollution in India's national capital is no laughing matter; it has claimed many lives and
continues to do so. It has many causes and sources, governments continue to blame
each other, and there is almost no solution in sight.

been made available. But why can't we just do it ourselves instead of waiting for
someone else to do it? On a personal level, we should do what we can. We must fight this
war on our own and do everything we can. As the saying goes, "baby steps."