New Delhi: The air pollution in some cities in North India has been reported high with respect to Particulate Matter (PM10& PM2.5) especially after Deepawali. The status in respect of big cities of north India with respect to air quality for the last three years for September, October and November which covers period of Diwali and harvesting of crops is annexed. The increase in level of air pollution occurs due to adverse meteorological conditions like low temperature, poor wind speed and low mixing height in addition to the major contributing factors like road dust, vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities, gensets, industrial emissions, garbage burning, stubble burning, hot mix plants, brick kilns, firecrackers etc.
Lung and allied diseases are affected by a number of factors such as smoking, hereditary factors, lifestyle, occupation, socio-economic status, immunity levels, medical history etc. besides air pollution. No credible study to quantify number of people who have developed lung and allied diseases or number of deaths directly as a result of air pollution is available.
The implementation of pollution control measures is an on-going process. A review mechanism at the appropriate levels in the Central government and Chief Secretaries at the State level has been put in place to ensure implementation of sustainable measures to control pollution. Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board also reviews the implementation of measures to mitigate pollution. The review process brings about necessary improvements in respect of required measures.
This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) in Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
