Air Pollution Sources in India: Pollutant-wise Breakdown
Why in the news
Air pollution causes millions of early deaths worldwide and India is among the worst hit. A pollutant-wise look, using 2022 data, shows which sectors drive each pollutant.
Pollutants and sources
| Pollutant | Main sources | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur dioxide (SO2) | Energy production; coal power plants (sulphur impurities) | Respiratory trouble, acid rain |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | Transport (vehicle exhaust); energy sector (coal and gas) | Lung inflammation, worsens asthma |
| Black carbon | Biomass and charcoal cooking in low-income homes; open waste burning | Respiratory illness; key part of PM2.5 |
| Methane (CH4) | Agriculture (livestock, rice paddies); waste in landfills | Potent greenhouse gas |
| Ammonia (NH3) | Almost entirely agriculture: fertilisers, animal waste | Forms PM2.5; about 3,85,000 premature deaths a year |
| NMVOCs | Solvents in paints and cleaners; chemical manufacturing | Ozone formation, indoor air toxicity |
Way forward
- Shift away from coal in the energy sector.
- Tighter vehicle emission standards.
- Reform fertiliser use in farming.
- Better waste management and cleaner cooking options.
Exam angle
- Acid rain pollutant: SO2.
- Agriculture sources: methane and ammonia.
- Black carbon is a major PM2.5 component.