Mumbai Chokes: Rising Air Pollution Sparks Health Crisis, Judicial Intervention
Mumbai faces severe air pollution, leading to health issues and prompting court action and new monitoring initiatives.
Photo by Sidharth Sabu
त्वरित संशोधन
Mumbai's air quality frequently ranges from 'moderate' to 'severe'
PM10 pollution in Mumbai is 30% due to dust
PM2.5 levels increased by 2.6% from 2019 to 2024
Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance of air pollution in 2023
Only 400 out of nearly 1,000 construction sites installed sensors, with 117 non-functional
BMC launched Project MANAS with IIT Kanpur
महत्वपूर्ण तिथियां
महत्वपूर्ण संख्याएं
दृश्य सामग्री
Mumbai's Air Pollution Crisis & Judicial Intervention
This map highlights Mumbai's location as the epicenter of the current air pollution crisis, alongside other major Indian cities frequently grappling with poor air quality. It visually represents the 'severe' air quality status mentioned in the news and the judicial focus on the region.
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परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Health issues and their management.
Role of judiciary in environmental protection.
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
Mumbai is grappling with a serious air pollution crisis, causing widespread health problems and increasing medical expenses for its residents. The air quality has frequently ranged from 'moderate' to 'severe', with particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels often exceeding safe limits. Key contributors include vehicular emissions, construction dust, and winter conditions that trap pollutants.
Doctors are reporting a significant rise in respiratory ailments, especially among children and non-smokers. The Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the issue, issuing detailed guidelines for construction sites, including mandatory air quality sensors and water sprinklers, and has criticized non-compliance. In response, the BMC has launched 'Project MANAS' with IIT Kanpur to establish a hyperlocal sensor-based monitoring system.
Experts, however, emphasize the need to translate data into actionable solutions and implement existing technologies like electrostatic precipitators and air purifying devices, rather than just monitoring.
पृष्ठभूमि
Air pollution has emerged as a significant public health crisis globally, with India facing some of the most severe challenges. Major metropolitan areas, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, consistently rank among the most polluted cities. This crisis is exacerbated by rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and increasing vehicular traffic, often compounded by specific meteorological conditions like winter inversions that trap pollutants.
Historically, environmental concerns gained prominence in India post-Bhopal Gas Tragedy, leading to comprehensive legislation like the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. However, enforcement and proactive measures have often lagged behind the pace of environmental degradation.
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
Mumbai is currently experiencing a severe air pollution crisis, with air quality frequently in 'moderate' to 'severe' categories due to high levels of PM2.5 and PM10. This has led to a surge in respiratory ailments and increased healthcare costs. Key contributors are vehicular emissions, construction dust, and specific winter weather patterns.
The Bombay High Court has intervened, issuing strict guidelines for construction sites, including mandatory air quality sensors and water sprinklers, and has criticized non-compliance. In response, the BMC, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, has launched 'Project MANAS' for hyperlocal air quality monitoring. Experts, however, stress the need to move beyond mere monitoring to implementing actionable solutions and existing pollution control technologies.
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding air pollution in urban areas of India: 1. Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels are primarily influenced by vehicular emissions and construction activities. 2. Winter conditions often exacerbate air pollution due to temperature inversions trapping pollutants close to the ground. 3. The Bombay High Court's recent intervention in Mumbai's air pollution crisis is an example of judicial activism in environmental governance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct as vehicular emissions and construction dust are major contributors to particulate matter in urban areas, as highlighted in the news. Statement 2 is correct; temperature inversions during winter trap pollutants, preventing their dispersion and leading to higher concentrations. Statement 3 is also correct; the Bombay High Court taking suo motu cognizance and issuing detailed guidelines demonstrates judicial activism in addressing critical environmental issues where executive action might be perceived as insufficient. All three statements are accurate in the context of urban air pollution in India.
2. In the context of air pollution control technologies, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) are highly effective in removing fine particulate matter from industrial exhaust gases. 2. Wet scrubbers primarily remove gaseous pollutants by dissolving or absorbing them in a liquid, but can also remove some particulates. 3. Cyclone separators are generally used for removing larger particulate matter through centrifugal force and are less effective for PM2.5. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct. Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) are widely used and highly efficient devices for removing fine particulate matter (including PM2.5) from industrial gas streams by using electrostatic forces. Statement 2 is correct. Wet scrubbers are primarily designed to remove gaseous pollutants and can also capture some particulate matter by bringing the polluted gas into contact with a scrubbing liquid. Statement 3 is correct. Cyclone separators use centrifugal force to separate larger, heavier particulate matter from gas streams. They are less effective for very fine particles like PM2.5. All three statements accurately describe the respective air pollution control technologies.
3. Which of the following statements about the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is NOT correct?
- A.The NGT was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
- B.It has jurisdiction over all civil cases where a substantial question relating to the environment is involved.
- C.The NGT is bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
- D.It is mandated to apply the principles of sustainable development, the precautionary principle, and the polluter pays principle.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Statement A is correct; the NGT was indeed established in 2010. Statement B is correct; its jurisdiction covers substantial environmental questions. Statement D is correct; the NGT is explicitly mandated to apply key environmental principles. Statement C is NOT correct. The NGT is NOT bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Instead, it is guided by the principles of natural justice, allowing for a more flexible and expeditious resolution of environmental disputes.
4. Match List-I (Air Pollutant) with List-II (Primary Health Impact) and select the correct code: List-I (Air Pollutant) I. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) II. Carbon Monoxide (CO) III. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) IV. Lead (Pb) List-II (Primary Health Impact) 1. Reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood 2. Respiratory irritation, exacerbation of asthma, acid rain 3. Neurodevelopmental effects, especially in children 4. Deep lung penetration, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases Code: I II III IV
- A.4 1 2 3
- B.3 2 1 4
- C.4 2 1 3
- D.1 4 3 2
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
I. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) is known for its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, causing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (4). II. Carbon Monoxide (CO) binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing its oxygen-carrying capacity (1). III. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is a respiratory irritant, exacerbates asthma, and is a precursor to acid rain (2). IV. Lead (Pb) exposure is particularly harmful to children, causing neurodevelopmental effects and other systemic issues (3). Therefore, the correct match is I-4, II-1, III-2, IV-3.