That last gasp for clean air

Deccan Herald , Sunday, November 13, 2016
Correspondent : Rasheed Kappan
Delhi’s unprecedented spike in pollution levels has sent a capital warning to Bengaluru. Struggling to cope with emissions from an astounding 64 lakh vehicles, the city is struggling for solutions to curb this explosive growth.

The thick smog that enveloped Delhi for weeks and triggered an unprecedented spike in pollution levels should be a clear, capital warning to Bengaluru. The city’s vehicular population has exceeded 64 lakh with emission levels way beyond permissible limits. Rising road dust, industrial emissions and fast depleting tree cover have the alarm bells ringing loud.

Is there an escape route from this slippery path to absolute chaos? Tracking the city’s pollution for decades, a Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) scientist was clear: There is no way out without curbing the explosive growth in vehicles. “The numbers have doubled in the last five years, driving up the respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) levels.”

Road dust issues

Data from KSPCB air monitoring stations spread across Bengaluru indicate a definite trend: Vehicular emission is the main culprit, accounting for 43% of the pollutants. Road dust kicked up and suspended in air by incessant vehicle movements makes up another 20%. Pollutants from industries and construction sites have a 28% share, while diesel generator sets contribute seven per cent.

Dry waste burning, a rising but unchecked hazard, has only made the air more polluted. Trees that act as natural filters are being axed to make way for infrastructure projects in huge numbers. “Pedestrians, footpath vendors, motorcyclists and autorickshaw drivers and passengers are the first victims. But eventually, the hazard rises, affecting the entire population,” notes the Board scientist.

Pedestrians worst affected

A Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study had confirmed the higher pollution risk posed to pedestrians compared to vehicle-users in the city. Walkers, the study had found, are exposed to levels as high as 269 microgram per cubic metre while those travelling by autorickshaws have to endure 137 microns. Even AC car passengers were not immune to pollution. The study revealed that they were exposed to up to 125 microns.

So far, pollutants have been measured as Particulate Matter (particles of any substance) of less than 10 microns (PM10). While this has steadily increased in the city’s air over the years, the dynamics of pollution analytics has dramatically changed with PM2.5 (particles with less than 2.5 micron diameter).

Here’s the problem: PM10 might get trapped in the nose, mouth or throat. But particles of the PM2.5 size range are drawn deep into the lungs directly. Within minutes of inhaling, these substances enter the bloodstream, triggering health issues such as laryngitis, bronchitis, shortness of breath, asthma and more.

To get an exact measure of the pollution, the Board has begun collection of PM2.5 data from this year. This, along with data on sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, photochemical oxidants and other toxic metals, are critical to understand why Bengalureans are increasingly getting vulnerable to lung-related ailments.

Air quality monitoring

Air quality data is monitored from 13 stations in Bengaluru city. These include AMCO, Mysore Road; Yeshwantpur police station; Central Silk Board, Hosur Road; DTDC - Victoria Road; Kazisummanahalli, Whitefield; Banaswadi police station; TERI office, Domlur; Victoria Hospital and Indira Gandhi Child Care Centre, Nimhans.

Analysis of data from the station at AMCO is telling enough. Tracking pollution levels twice a week over a 10-year period, it was found that concentration of nitric oxide at this site increased by over 100%. This has been attributed to the whopping 258% increase in vehicular population.

If this trend continues unabated, how polluted will Bengaluru air be five years from now? Environmentalists, seasoned campaigners for sustainable transport and even KSPCB officials admit that there can be no lasting solution without finding some way to arrest the explosive growth in vehicle numbers.

But can this be done at all? Pollution Board officials say the Transport department should take a call. However, concepts such as congestion tax for entry into Central Business District (CBD) areas and odd-even scheme have not moved beyond the drawing board.

Mobile emission-testing

However, efforts are now on to finetune the pollution-tracking system. Twelve emission-testing mobile vans are all set to be launched on November 16 by the Chief Minister. These will be located in eight BBMP zones of the city. The transport and traffic police department personnel will jointly get polluting vehicles checked for emissions beyond the permissible limits. Violators will be penalised on the spot.

But strict enforcement should go beyond vehicles to curb polluting small-scale industries, say environmentalists. Many setups in the industrial areas are known to incinerate e-waste and let out chemicals directly into the air. Unregulated mixing of commercial, industrial and residential areas in the city has meant that no one is immune from such pollutants.

Air pollution is a slow and unwarranted problem. Many do not realise how bad it can be until it is too late. We should bring pressure on the government to implement clean energy solutions.

JALAJAKSHI G, Lecturer, ASC College

If the state hesitates to curb pollution, all our lives will be at stake in the near future. People are directly exposed to toxic fumes that lead to skin diseases and allergies.

UMA SOMASHEKHAR, Resident, Chamarajpet

Since there is a large working class in the city, carpooling and public transport should beencouraged. Everyone has a basic responsibility

towards reducing pollution.

SURESH HEBLIKAR, Environmentalist

Bengaluru is blessed with a lot of greenery. However, if we start

losing the existing trees, then the scenario might be similar to Delhi in the coming days.

SYED AMJED AHMED

Visiting faculty, St Joseph’s College

Comparing B’luru, Delhi

Originally from Bengaluru, Shalini B, a research scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University, has spent years in both the cities. Here’s her take on the air quality in the two urban centres.

“As a person who grew up in Bengaluru, I have witnessed drastic change. In the last few years, Bengaluru’s air quality has been deteriorating. If this trend continues, it will be a Delhi in the making. It is a wake-up call to Bengaluru.

“Delhi, over the last few years, has become India's most polluted city and with the recent smog and the alarming decline in air quality, the fall has been dramatic. lt has literally turned into a gas chamber. Once known for its air-conditioned weather, it is sad to see the decline in Bengaluru’s weather patterns.

“l don't remember using AC ever in Bengaluru. But now, the city’s climate is turning hotter and we hear of respiratory diseases due to air pollution.”

 
SOURCE : http://www.deccanherald.com/content/580784/that-last-gasp-clean-air.html
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us