Air Pollution in India: A Source-Wise Breakdown and Its Impact

Air pollution is a major public health and environmental concern in India. Millions die prematurely due to exposure to harmful pollutants, yet the sources are varied and sector-specific. Understanding the origin of pollutants such as SO₂, NOₓ, black carbon, methane, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds is key to devising targeted solutions.
Summary

• Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂): Mainly from coal-based power generation.
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ): Primarily from vehicle emissions and coal-based electricity.
• Black Carbon: Comes from biomass burning, charcoal cooking, and open waste burning.
• Methane (CH₄): Released from agriculture and rotting organic waste in landfills.
• Ammonia (NH₃): Almost entirely from agricultural fertilizers and livestock waste.
• Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs): Emanate from solvents, paints, and industrial chemical usage.

Why this Topic is Relevant

Air pollution is a critical issue for governance, health, sustainable development, and climate policy—all of which are vital themes in the RAS exam. Questions can emerge from both scientific and policy perspectives, especially related to SDG goals, India's energy profile, and environmental health.

Key Pollutants and Their Sources

1.    Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)

•  Main Source: Energy sector, particularly coal-based thermal power plants.
•  Impact: Causes acid rain, respiratory diseases.
•  RAS Relevance: Link with India’s coal dependency and power sector reforms.

2.    Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ)

•     Main Source: Transport and energy production.
•     Impact: Lung inflammation, smog formation.
•     RAS Angle: Urban transport policy, Bharat Stage Emission Norms.

3.    Black Carbon

•    Main Source: Biomass burning, cooking with charcoal, open waste burning.
•    Impact: Climate warming, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
•    Policy Relevance: Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

4.    Methane (CH₄)

•     Main Source: Agriculture (rice paddies, livestock) and waste decomposition.
•     Impact: Greenhouse gas; contributes to global warming.
•     Related Schemes: National Bio-Energy Mission, waste-to-energy initiatives.

5.    Ammonia (NH₃)

•    Main Source: Agriculture — fertilizers and animal waste.
•     Impact: Forms particulate matter (PM2.5), leading to premature deaths.
•     Current Affairs Angle: Soil Health Cards, sustainable agriculture programs.

6.    Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs)

•     Main Source: Industrial solvents, paints, and household products.
•     Impact: Forms ground-level ozone and PMs.
•     Policy Implication: Need for regulation of VOCs in consumer products.

Interlinkages with Government Programs
•    National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Focuses on reducing PM levels by 20–30% by 2024 in 102 cities.
•    Ujjwala Yojana: Addresses black carbon by promoting LPG usage.
•    Fertilizer Subsidy Reform & Precision Farming: Targets ammonia emissions.

Conclusion

India’s air pollution crisis is a multidimensional issue. It is rooted in energy choices, agricultural practices, industrial behavior, and consumer habits. Understanding the specific origins of pollutants is essential for creating a targeted, multi-sectoral policy approach. For RAS aspirants, this topic serves as a bridge between environmental science, public health, and governance.

MCQ's
 

1. Which of the following pollutants in India primarily originates from agricultural activities?

A. Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)
B. Ammonia (NH₃)
C. Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ)
D. Black Carbon
Answer: B. Ammonia (NH₃)

2. The major contributor to Nitrogen Oxide (NOₓ) emissions in India is:
A. Industrial solvents
B. Agricultural fields
C. Transport sector
D. Biomass burning
Answer: C. Transport sector