Killer Air: Suffer SO2 for 3 more yrs?, Indian lives ‘cut short’ by PM2.5, stringent BSVI norms from April

Coal plants get 3 more yrs to spew toxic SO2

A huge setback to fight against air pollution: Central Pollution Control Board has extended the deadline for installing flue gas desulphurization (FGD) to stop SO2 emissions by 3 more years. Single FGD costs rupees 50 lakh per MW. Experts say, to install FGDs in several units can cost thousands of crores, which will result in power tariff hikes. Government should apply the principle of ‘polluter pay’ experts say. According to NASA study India is surpassing China as the world’s largest emitter of SO2.

Emissions: Stringent BS VI norms from April, 2018

India revised standards norms for petrol and diesel from BSIV to more stringent BSVI. BS norms were set according to European emission standards to curb air pollutants spewed by vehicles. BS VI emission norms will be applicable in Delhi from April 1, 2018 and in the rest of the country from April 1, 2020.

Delhi’s clean air campaign next month

Meanwhile, Centre and Delhi government have decided to launch clean air campaign in the Capital next month. Authorities will focus on curbing pollution by preventing garbage burning, managing solid waste and mitigating dust.

PM2.5 reducing life by up to 6.5 years

A new study by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and National Centre for Atmospheric Research, says life expectancy of Indians is dropping by several years because of Air pollution. Here’s what the study says: main culprit behind deaths is particulate matter 2.5, which is emitted by diesel vehicles. Indians are losing 3-4 yrs of their life because of PM 2.5. 6 lakh Indians died prematurely because of air pollution in 2011. People in UP stand to lose 5.7 yrs of their life, Delhi 6.4 years and West Bengal 6.5 years.

Indians have shorter lifespan because of air pollution

A new study has revealed that people in rural India are more vulnerable to premature deaths due to air pollution, 75% of total deaths due to PM2.5 were caused in villages. PM 2.5 levels were similar in rural and urban areas.

The first-ever report to map deaths according to sources of pollution says residential biomass burning was responsible for 267,700 deaths. The second biggest killer was coal combustion: responsible for 169,300 deaths. Crop burning killed 66,200 people due to PM 2.5 in 2015. According to an IIT study cooking stoves. IIT Bombay study says after coal, 25% of pollution related deaths are caused by chulhas or cooking stoves.

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