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The thing about air
Why in news?
- Air pollution is a silent killer in India, especially in the country’s northern belt.
- 18% of the world’s population lives in India, but the country bears 26% of the global disease burden due to air pollution.
More in news
Impact of air pollution on public health:
- According to estimates of Lancet Planetary Health, over half the 12.4 lakh deaths in India attributed to air pollution in 2017.
- The average life expectancy in the country could be 1.7 years higher if air pollution is contained.
Energy costing Measures to tackle Air Pollution:
- Need for devices such as sensor-based monitors, air purifiers and smog towers.
- The use of mass spectrometers to identify volatile substances that pollute air.
- Systemic measures, long-term planning, stringent action against those violating emission laws and standards.
Problems with air purifiers:
- These devices consume energy, require constant maintenance and constitute a lopsided and expensive answer to the air pollution problem.
- Studies have shown that many types of air purifiers used in households, offices do not actually improve the air quality.
- Electrostatic filters are not effective in large rooms and ozone purifiers are known to trigger asthma attacks.
Way forward
- we need to recognize that air pollution problem is not merely a technological issue, but a social concern.
- Government must be alive to the concerns of the people whose livelihoods are affected when polluting industries are banned.
- Addressing air pollution is a human concern. Regulation and technological solutions should not lose sight of this perspective.
Source
The Indian Express.