More disturbing than the extreme temperature is the fact that riding on the heat wave is a deadly form of pollution which is bound to leave an adverse and lasting impact on the cities and its population. Authorities must wake up
The recent spate of heat wave conditions has wreaked havoc with normal life. In some places, such as Delhi, the temperatures soared, breaking a 60-year record. But more disturbing than the extreme temperature is the fact that riding on the heat wave is a deadly form of pollution which is bound to leave an adverse and lasting impact on the cities and its population. Though this trend is typical of the summer season, there is a complete lack of initiative on the part of the authorities to anticipate and account for these conditions in order to contain the harmful collateral damage that this extreme weather causes.
A recent analysis done by the Centre for Science and Environment of the data procured from the key monitoring locations of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for the period between January and early June, shows rapid build-up of ozone and more frequent violation of standards this summer. The Government, in spite of having access to this data, has not put in place any plan of action that is specific to these severe summer months so that the health and well-being of the common man is not compromised.
Vehicular pollution and adverse ambient air quality coupled with heat wave conditions are turning our cities in virtual gas chambers. If this cycle continues unabated the consequences will be reaching terminal stage. Apart from other major air pollutants such as sulpher dioxide and carbon monoxide the emerging threat is from ozone pollution.
Ozone, being a protective layer in the earth’s atmosphere, can be a lethal pollutant at the ground level. Unlike other air pollutants, ground-level ozone is an evolved form of pollution and is not directly emitted by any source. Ozone is primarily formed due to oxides of nitrogen and a range of volatile gases, primarily from vehicles being exposed to each other in sunlight in a warm and stagnant air environment. This makes ozone a very difficult and challenging type of pollution to rein in.
Sustained exposure to ozone can cause serious respiratory and asthmatic problems. The pollutant can also cause chest pain, coughing, nausea, headaches and chest congestion, besides worsening heart disease, bronchitis and emphysema. Being powerful oxidizer ozone can also inflict damage to the human body at cell level.
According to studies, ozone contact can be counterproductive for crops in the rural environment as well. Given this scale of threat to human well being, the Government cannot afford to be on the back foot. The absence of a well-honed pollution prevention and management strategy is taking a toll on the daily life of city dwellers and now the onset of ozone as the next generation pollutant can deliver a death blow to the city life unless the authorities step in with concrete measures.
The pollution control boards and connected departments must concentrate on prevention of pollution. For instance, in Delhi, with the entire public transport running on compressed natural gas how the pollution levels can manage to breach the recommended standards, needs to be studied and investigated.
People have a basic right to clean air and it is the duty of the authorities concerned to ensure that. Setting up of electronic display boards at major intersections announcing the ambient air quality does not fulfill this responsibility of the authorities.
In order to safeguard the health of the people, the authorities must think radically. Awareness generation and information is a powerful tool that is used by countries such as the United States and China in order to protect their citizens from adverse effects of air pollution. Ozone standards and current level is included in the daily smog and health alert programmes in these countries.
Depending upon the pollution levels the ‘air advisory’ recommends the elderly, children and those suffering from respiratory and cardiac problems to stay indoors when ozone and other pollutant levels go up.
In India, these pollution alerts should be more interactive. For instance, the pollution control departments can send out text messages of the air quality and other related advisory. This will enable people to avoid city hotspots for pollution and choose to remain indoors if they suffer from an ailment that can get aggravated due to pollution.
In addition, the authorities must also curb the number of vehicles, as they are direct contributors to the rising pollution, especially ozone. Thanks to erratic and unplanned development, air pollution has become a man-made challenge. Ironically, now, man has to provide the solution.