Daily Dose of Air Pollution: October 2024

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Video - Remote Sensing: Smart policing of emissions on-road

Journal Article - Simulated Surface-Column NO2 Connections for Satellite Applications

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Journal Article - Why India’s Delhi Has One of World’s Worst Air Pollution Problems

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Delhi's Doctors say, "Diwali Crackers = Lung Cancer"

A large number of doctors in Delhi this year are appealing for a cracker-free Diwali. Advocating ‘No Diwali crackers, no lung cancer’ for the city this festival season, Dr. Niranjan Naik, senior Oncologist (surgeon) from Dharamshila Hospital said: “Firecrackers form a major part of our Diwali celebrations. These firecrackers are not only harming the environment, but also lead to serious health problems. The crackers emit the worst kind of gases and increase air pollution by 30 per cent. The toxic air is not only dangerous for those suffering from pulmonary diseases, but it also causes breathing problems in others.’’

Stating that crackers contain elements like copper, cadmium, sulphur, aluminium and barium, the physician explained that on bursting, crackers emit toxic chemicals and gases that remain suspended for a long time.

“Breathing such toxic and fine particles in the firecracker smog can cause serious health problems such as risk of lung inflammation, asthma attacks and like symptoms. Exposure to the smoke and smog aggravates symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Staying in Delhi NCR itself is a risk factor equivalent to smoking two cigarettes per day even if you are a non-smoker. It is strongly recommended that children, the elderly and people with lung or heart disease who are especially sensitive should stay indoors and close the windows to avoid breathing the smoke,’’ added Dr. Naik.

Infograph - Chemistry of Fireworks

@ CompoundChem - Fireworks are great, but know the chemicals which produce those colors, what is burning, and consequently ending up as air pollution

Thinking Air Purifiers Will Solve Air Pollution Problem is Disingenuous and a Waste of Important Resources

There are many ideas to improve air quality. Some of them have been tossed around for a couple of decades now. An action plan the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published in 1997 found its way after 20 years into the hands of the Delhi government.

These are not overnight solutions. They include improving infrastructure, urban transport and solid waste management. As a result, it requires patience, long-term planning, interdepartmental cooperation and, most importantly, joint action by all political parties, since the implementation and outcomes can have a considerable time lag. All straightforward – but not simple to pull off.

This is why technological gimmicks that promise overnight improvements without any reduction in emissions, systemic policy changes or infrastructural improvement are bound to be disingenuous, and a waste of important resources. And this is exactly what the multiple proposals to install air purifiers at intersections to reduce ambient air pollution are.

We cannot improve air pollution by sucking pollutants out of the atmosphere. The only way to control pollution is by controlling pollutants entering the atmosphere – i.e. by controlling emissions.

Full article @ theWIRE