Major Sources: Anthropogenic sources include emissions from vehicles (exhaust, road dust), industries (power plants, factories), construction activities (dust), domestic cooking and heating (biomass burning), agricultural practices (stubble burning), and waste burning. Natural sources include dust storms, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires.

Key Pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Lead (Pb).

Health Impacts: Leads to severe respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis), cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, neurological disorders, and premature deaths. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Environmental Impacts: Contributes to acid rain, smog formation, climate change (through greenhouse gases like CO2, CH4), depletion of the ozone layer, and reduced visibility.

Economic Impacts: Increased healthcare expenditure, loss of productivity due to illness, reduced agricultural yields, and impact on tourism.

Meteorological Factors: Wind speed, temperature inversions, and humidity can trap pollutants, leading to severe episodes of pollution, especially during winter in North India.

Regional Factors: Transboundary movement of pollutants (e.g., stubble burning smoke from Punjab/Haryana affecting Delhi) makes it a complex regional challenge.

Major Sources: Anthropogenic sources include emissions from vehicles (exhaust, road dust), industries (power plants, factories), construction activities (dust), domestic cooking and heating (biomass burning), agricultural practices (stubble burning), and waste burning. Natural sources include dust storms, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires.

Key Pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Lead (Pb).

Health Impacts: Leads to severe respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis), cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, neurological disorders, and premature deaths. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Environmental Impacts: Contributes to acid rain, smog formation, climate change (through greenhouse gases like CO2, CH4), depletion of the ozone layer, and reduced visibility.

Economic Impacts: Increased healthcare expenditure, loss of productivity due to illness, reduced agricultural yields, and impact on tourism.

Meteorological Factors: Wind speed, temperature inversions, and humidity can trap pollutants, leading to severe episodes of pollution, especially during winter in North India.

Regional Factors: Transboundary movement of pollutants (e.g., stubble burning smoke from Punjab/Haryana affecting Delhi) makes it a complex regional challenge.