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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

PROJECT

ON

AIR POLLUTION IN KOLKATA

SUBMITTED

BY

NAME :- RAJMANE OMKAR RAJESH

COLLEGE ROLL NO:- 134 SECTION:-B

ENROLLMENT NO :- 3002146 OF :-2019-20

DHANANJAYRAO GADGIL COLLEGE

OF COMMERCE, SATARA.
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CONTENTS

SL NO . TOPIC PAGE NO.

1

8
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INTRODUCTION
AIR POLLUTION

According to Environmental Pollution Centres

“Air pollution can be defined as the presence of toxic chemicals or compounds (including
those of biological origin) in the air, at levels that pose a health risk. In an even broader
sense, air pollution means the presence of chemicals or compounds in the air which are
usually not present and which lower the quality of the air or cause detrimental changes to the
quality of life (such as the damaging of the ozone layer or causing global warming).”

According to Conserve-Energy- Future Organisation

Air pollution is one such form that refers to the contamination of the air irrespective of
indoors or outside. A physical, biological or chemical alteration to the air in the atmosphere
can be termed as pollution .it occurs when any harmful gases, dust or smoke enter into the
atmosphere and makes it difficult for the plants animal and human to survive as the air
becomes contaminated.

According to Wikipedia

Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including

gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. It may
cause diseases, allergies and even death to humans; it may also cause harm to other living
organisms such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural or built environment.
Both human activity and natural processes can generate air pollution.
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AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA :-

Air pollution in India is a serious issue with the major sources being fuelwood and biomass
burning, fuel adulteration, vehicle emission and traffic congestion. In autumn and winter
months, large scale crop residue burning in agriculture fields – a low cost alternative to
mechanical tilling – is a major source of smoke, smog and particulate pollution. India has a
low per capita emissions of greenhouse gases but the country as a whole is the third largest
after China and the United States.[5] A 2013 study on non-smokers has found that Indians
have 30% lower lung function compared to Europeans.

India was the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide in 2009 at 1.65 Gt per year, after China
(6.9 Gt per year) and the United States (5.2 Gt per year). With 17 percent of world
population, India contributed some 5 percent of human-sourced carbon dioxide emission;
compared to China's 24 percent share. On per capita basis, India emitted about 1.4 tons of
carbon dioxide per person, in comparison to the United States' 17 tons per person, and a
world average of 5.3 tons per person.

The India Central Pollution Control Board found that of the four major Indian cities, air
pollution was consistently worse in Kolkata, every year over 5-year period (2012 –2017).
Delhi was a close second, followed by Mumbai. Chennai air pollution was least of the four.

West Bengal has been worsely affected by air pollution. Main causes of air pollution in West
Bengal were due to fuel mass burning, traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, etc.
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Air Pollution in Kolkata: -

The city of Kolkata has been dubbed as one of the most unplanned and
polluted cities in the world. A study in comparison of air quality data among four
metropolitan areas in India indicates a higher pollution level in Kolkata in comparison to
Mumbai and Chennai, and is close to Delhi. It has also been termed as the dusty city. Air
pollution in Kolkata becomes acute during winter, when pollution ranges higher than at other
times. On the other hand, the worst-polluted traffic intersections double the city's average
pollutants during busy hours.
Studies have demonstrated that children inhaling polluted air in Kolkata suffer from adverse
lung reactions and genetic abnormalities in exposed lung tissues. Approximately 47% of
Kolkata’s population suffers from lower respiratory tract symptoms with the lungs of city
residents being approximately seven times more burdened compared to their rural
counterparts due to air pollution. Other air pollution-related health problems, including
haematological abnormalities, impaired liver function, genetic changes, and neurobehavioral
problems, are found to be more prevalent amongst those categories of workers exposed to
high levels of vehicular emission. They include roadside hawkers, traffic policemen, and taxi
and auto drivers.

Purpose of this Study :-

With this little background, the purpose of this project is to understand the current scenario
of air pollution in Kolkata and status of the urban environment in terms of air quality, health
outcomes of air pollution, and addressing some suitable measures with a view to mitigate the
menace of air pollution to pave the way for bringing sustainable urban development to
Kolkata.
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SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION AND

POLLUTANTS:-
NO. OF SOURCES:-
A) NON-ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES (NATURAL SOURCES)

B) ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES (MAN MADE SOURCES)

NON ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES :-

THERE ARE 4 KINDS OF NON-ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES NAMELY: -

VOLCANIC ERUPTION: -

Volcanic eruptions emit a series of toxic gases (including sulphur and chlorine) as well as
particulate matter (ash particles) but are usually restricted to localized areas.
Volcanic activity is a huge source of air pollution which leads to acid rain and another
phenomenon. Volcanic eruptions release large quantities of greenhouse gases and other
aerosols into the atmosphere, these gases form massive clouds which accumulate in the
atmosphere; this process is referred to as outgassing or off gassing . In addition to magma
particulates, known as ash or pyroclastic flow.

DUST STORMS:-

Dust particles, often referred to as particulate matter (PM), in the atmosphere arise from a
wide variety of sources. Particulate matter may be generated mechanically, for example by
the wind, may be emitted directly to the atmosphere or may be formed by reactions in the
atmosphere from precursor gases (e.g. Pruppacher & Klett, 1978). Dust leads to the
formation of sulphur di oxide, carbon di oxide and many other harmful gases through
chemical, mechanical ,and combustion process.
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CYCLONES /THUNDERSTORMS:-

Meteorological processes such as thunderstorms can profoundly alter the chemistry of the
atmosphere. For example, nitrogenous pollutants (NOx) emitted near the Earth's surface tend
to remain near the surface where they have a lifetime on the order of a day. If however, a
thunderstorm rolls over the area of emissions the pollutants are transported to high altitude
where their sphere of influence is greatly expanded. Local air pollution problems are thus
transformed into regional or even global air chemistry problems.

LANDSLIDES :-

Landslides can mobilize pollutants from the ground and transport them over large areas.
Hence this transports the debris and other pollutants over larger area among them one is air
pollution.

ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES;-
THERE ARE 5 KINDS OF ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES NAMELY -:

THERMAL POWER STATION:-

Thermal Power Plants are a major source of air pollution. Power plants are the largest
emitters of SO2. In the presence of other gases SO2forms Sulphuric acid and can precipitate
down as acid rain leading to destruction of eco systems. Ash is the residue after the
combustion. Ash contains toxic elements that can percolate into the atmosphere. The wind,
breach of dykes or ash spills can carry away the ash particles to surrounding areas causing
harm to humans and vegetation.

BURNINIG GHATS /DOMESTIC OVENS:-

In some regions where coal is burned for residential heating and cooking, very high exposure
to SO2 can occur. Also burning Ghats uses wood which produces harmful gases like
co2 ,so2, which ultimately reacts to form acid rain and other pollutants .
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AVIATIONS /AUTOMOBILES:-

Passenger vehicles are a major pollution contributor, producing significant amounts of

nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other pollution. Transportation – emits a series of
air pollutants (gases – including carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, and nitrogen oxides - and
particulate matter) through the tailpipe gases due to internal combustion of various fuels
(usually gasses such as oxides of carbons, of sulphur, of nitrogen, as well as organic
chemicals as PAHs)

INDUSTRIES:-

oil, gas and automotive industries and electricity generation industries are major players
for air pollution . Many industries contribute to greenhouse gases. Electricity, meaning
power generation, is responsible for 31 percent of greenhouse gases; transportation, 27
percent; industry, 21 percent; commercial and residential activities, 12 percent; and
agriculture 9 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Others
harmful gases like hydrocarbons. carbon mono oxide and sulphur di oxide are also emitted in
the due process of these industries like -

Coal Power Plants – when burning coal this may emit a series of gases as well as particulate
matter with metals (such as As, Pb, Hg) and organic compounds (especially PAHs);

EXPERMIENTS OF H2 BOMB / OTHERS

Serious pollutants are expelled while testing the hydrogen bombs and others similar bombs.
The gases released can cause huge air pollution covering very large areas .Green house gases
are released through these process . Detonation of nuclear bombs above ground can inject
radioactive particles into the stratosphere causing global fallout. Nuclear bombs produce
even higher levels of fallout than nuclear plant accidents, which are considerable.
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AIR POLLUTANTS :-

These are divided into two categories:-

PRIMARY AIR POLLUTANTS

SECONDARY AIR POLLUTANTS

Primary air pollutants

Gases like carbon mono oxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides ,lead, ammonia are major
sources of pollutants for air pollution . Poisonous gases and undesirable substance are a
major source of air pollution .Gases like Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – are harmful to the
ozone layer; emitted from products are currently banned from use. These are gases which are
released from air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosol sprays, etc. On release into the air, CFCs
rise to the stratosphere. Here they come in contact with other gases and damage the ozone
layer. This allows harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the earth's surface. This can lead to skin
cancer, eye disease and can even cause damage to plants

SOOT (UNBURNED FUELS ):-

Soot is a mass of impure carbon particles resulting from the
incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. It is more properly restricted to the product of the
gas-phase combustion process[citation needed]
but is commonly extended to include the
residual pyrolysed fuel particles such as coal, cenospheres, charred wood, and petroleum
coke that may become airborne during pyrolysis and that are more properly identified
as cokes or char.

Soot causes various types of cancer and lung disease.

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SO2 (SUPLPHUR DI OXIDE ):-

SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Coal and petroleum

often contain sulphur compounds, and their combustion generates sulphur dioxide.

Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as NO2, forms H2SO4,

and thus acid rain. This is one of the causes for concern over the environmental impact of
the

use of these fuels as power sources.

BENZOPYRINE :-

The vast majority of BaP is released to the environment when combustion is incomplete
(usually because there is insufficient oxygen). Thus, most BaP is released from vehicle
exhausts and domestic wood and coal fires. Trace amounts are found in cigarette smoke.
BaP is also released naturally from volcanoes and forest fires, but the amounts are very
small compared to those released from man-made combustion sources.

AMMONIA (NH3):-
Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3. It is normally encountered as a gas with a
characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of
terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to foodstuffs and fertilizers. Ammonia, either
directly or indirectly, is also a building block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals.
Although in wide use, ammonia is both caustic and hazardous. In the atmosphere ammonia
reacts with other particles to form secondary pollutants .

OXIDES OF NITROGEN :-
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Nitrogen dioxide is an irritant gas, which at high concentrations causes inflammation of the

airways. NOx gases are formed whenever combustion occurs in the presence of nitrogen –

e.g. in car engines; they are also produced naturally by lightning. NOx mainly impacts on
respiratory conditions causing inflammation of the airways at high levels. Long term
exposure can decrease lung function, increase the risk of respiratory conditions and increases
the response to allergens

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) :-

CO is a colourless, odourless, toxic yet non- irritating gas. It is a product of combustion of
fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust contributes to the majority of
carbon monoxide let into our atmosphere. It creates a smog type formation in the air that has
been linked to many lung diseases and disruptions to the natural environment and animals. In
2013, more than half of the carbon monoxide emitted into our atmosphere was from vehicle
traffic and burning one gallon of gas will often emit over 20 pounds of carbon monoxide into
the air.

LEAD:-
Industrial sources can be very large sources of metals that can be found in atmospheric PM
even though the metals are not major contributors to particle mass . In the absence of
industrial sources, roadway emissions and stationary power generation are typically the
largest source of many toxic metals in the urban atmosphere. The braking systems of motor
vehicles and underground public transportation emit metals that are potentially of concern for
human exposure, including iron, copper, chromium, strontium, manganese, and antimony . In
locations where residual oils are used for heating and emission controls do not exist, very
high concentration of nickel and vanadium can be found in atmospheric PM . Likewise, coal
fly ash can contain relatively high levels of arsenic, copper, chromium, zinc, antimony,
selenium, and cadmium and if the fly ash is not controlled with aftertreatment technologies,
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then emissions will contribute to an increased presence of toxic metals in the PM downwind
of the facility. In developing countries, the uncontrolled emissions from brick kilns, waste
incineration, and cement plants are important sources of metals to communities close to these
facilities

SECONDARY AIR POLLUTANTS:-

Poisonous substances formed from primary air pollutants:-

SMOG:-

Particulates created from gaseous primary pollutants and compounds in photochemical smog.
Smog is a kind of air pollution. Classic smog results from large amounts of coal burning in
an area caused by a mixture of smoke and sulphur dioxide. Modern smog does not usually
come from coal but from vehicular and industrial emissions that are acted on in the
atmosphere by ultraviolet light from the sun to form secondary pollutants that also combine
with the primary emissions to form photochemical smog.

NITROGEN OXIDES:-

Globally, the sources of NOx are dominated by fossil fuel combustion, microbial activity in
soils, and biomass burning, with smaller contributions from lightning and stratospheric
oxidation of nitrous oxide (N2O).

In urban areas, fossil fuel combustion is often the dominant source and includes stationary
power generation, diesel-powered engines, and gasoline-powered engines. There has been
some concern that diesel aftertreatment technologies aimed at reducing PM emissions will
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shift the distribution of NOx emissions towards NO2, which will lead to higher
NO2 exposures near roadways.

In rural areas where residential combustion of solid fuels is common, the residential
combustion of solid fuels and microbial activity in soils are typically the dominant sources of
NOx.

HYDROCARBONS:-

Aldehydes are toxic chemicals that result from the combustion of hydrocarbons, such as
burning car fuel and plywood. They've been shown to inhibit photosynthesis in plants, cause
eye and lung irritations, and even possibly cause cancer.

Alkyl nitrates are products of hydrocarbons that chemically react with molecules in the
atmosphere. They can chemically react again to produce nitrous oxide, which can affect
blood vessels, the liver, the kidneys and the nervous system. Aromatic hydrocarbons come
from the combustion of coal, oil, tar and plant material. Benzene is a common hydrocarbon
used as a solvent and in fuel. It's been found to deplete red blood cells, cause cancer in
mammals and damage bone marrow.

OZONE:-
Ground level ozone (O3) formed from NOx and VOCs. Ozone (O3) is constituent of the
troposphere. It is also an important constituent of certain regions of the stratosphere
commonly known as the Ozone layer. Photochemical and chemical reactions involving it
drive many of the chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere by day and by night. At
abnormally high concentrations brought about by human activities (largely the combustion of
fossil fuel), it is a pollutant and a constituent of smog.

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (C2H3NO5) – similarly formed from NOx and VOCs.

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Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to
environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because
of this, they have been observed to persist in the environment, to be capable of long-range
transport, bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, bio magnify in food chains, and to
have potentially significant impacts on human health and the environment.
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EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

ON ENVIRONMENT AND MAN

EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT

EFFECTS ON FLORA (VEGETATION )

Air pollution comes from many sources such as the smoke stack in a factory, car exhaust, or
off gassing from paint or producing plastic. The effects of air pollution on plants are
widely seen and damage all plants including our food crops and trees. The chemicals
responsible for the pollution include carbon, sulphur, and nitrogen oxides. Plants usually show
damage in a variety of ways, including visible signs of damage like necrotic lesions, stunted
plant growth, or changing in colour including chlorosis (aka yellowing leaves), reddening,
bronzing, mottling.

Ozone holes in the atmosphere also harm plants. Holes in the upper atmosphere allow an
excess ultraviolet light to pass through the atmosphere leading to plant damage. In the lower
atmosphere, ozone damages plants by preventing photosynthesis and obstructing stomata,
restricting respiration and stunting plant growth .
Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can create acidic compounds which can cause
harms to vegetation and building. Sometimes when an air pollutant ,such as sulfuric acid
combines with the water droplets that make up clouds ,the water droplets become
acidc,forming acid rain .When acid falls, on trees it can kill them .

The acid rain also affects the quality of the soils, as it pollutes the soils and damages plants by
dissolving and washing away the nutrients and minerals from the soil on which the plants rely.
Furthermore, it is important to remember how everything in nature is
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interconnected. Pollution of all kinds can damage plant life and cause harm to the
environment.

EFFECTS ON FAUNA (ANIMALS ):-

All animals, despite their size, can be affected by pollution. Animals depend on oxygen that
comes from the air, and when the air is contaminated, harmful gases and particulates are
inhaled. Experts agree that pollution affects animals in the same way as it does humans. The
pollution that animals inhale can accumulate in their tissues over time, causing damage to their
organs. Not only do animals inhale harmful gases from pollution, but contaminants are also
absorbed through the skin and come from food and water.

Global Warming – The planet is warming due to greenhouses gases, which include carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. These gases are released into the atmosphere
from air pollution.

Tropospheric Ozone – Ozone molecules show up near the surface of the Earth, leading to air
pollution. When ozone molecules are near the ground, it causes damage to the lung tissues of
animals.

Acid Rain – When water droplets in clouds combine with acidic air pollutants, the water turns
acidic. Once the droplets hit the ground, acid rain causes damage to the environment. Not only
does acid rain harm animals and fish, but it also kills trees. Once the acid rain soaks into the
ground, the soil becomes unfit for habitat and living creatures.

Thinning Ozone Layer – Air pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been known to
destroy parts of the ozone layer. Located in the stratospheric layer of the atmosphere is the
ozone layer. The stratosphere shields the planet from the ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Ultraviolet radiation harms wildlife, damages plants and causes skin cancer in humans.
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EFFECTS ON MAN:-

RESPIRATORY DISORDER/ASTHMA:-
Because most of the pollutants enter the body through the airways, the respiratory system is in
the first line of battle in the onset and progression of diseases resulted from air pollutants.
Depending on the dose of inhaled pollutants, and deposition in target cells, they cause a
different level of damages in the respiratory system. In the upper respiratory tract, the first
effect is irritation, especially in trachea which induces voice disturbances. Air pollution is also
considered as the major environmental risk factor for some respiratory diseases such as asthma
and lung cancer. Air pollutants, especially PMs and other respirable chemicals such as dust,
O3, and benzene cause serious damage to the respiratory tract.Asthma is a respiratory disease
which may be developed as a result of exposure to air toxicants. Some studies have validated
associations between both traffic-related and/or industrial air pollution and increasing the risk
of COPD. Treatment of respiratory diseases due to air pollution is similar to the other toxic
chemical induce respiratory disorders.

NAUSEA:-
Dizziness and nausea - Pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, can interfere with the delivery
of oxygen throughout the body, which may cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea,
confusion and disorientation when inhaled at high levels.

COUGHIING:-

Breathing polluted air can cause a dry or tickly cough. This can occur even in otherwise
healthy people, who haven't previously been diagnosed with any sort of lung condition.

HEADACHE:-
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Air pollution can trigger headaches: Chemical exposure and specific environmental irritants
are well known headache triggers .

PNEUMONIA:-
Air pollution has been shown to exacerbate respiratory diseases such as asthma. However, it
may also increase the risk for pneumonia by impairing the function of pulmonary alveolar
macrophages and epithelial cells. Neupane and colleagues have hypothesized that long-term
(1–2 years) exposure to air pollution would increase older adults' risk for hospitalization with
pneumonia.

CARDIAC DISEASES:-
Pollutants can affect cardiovascular health by hardening the arteries and increase the risk of
heart attack and strokes, and there is even emerging evidence that air pollution may be linked
to mental health conditions and degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.

ALLERGY:-
Two major mechanisms explain the increased prevalence of allergic rhinitis in industrialized
areas. Increased fossil fuel combustion may initially lead to allergic sensitization and airway
responsiveness to allergens. Airway responsiveness to environmental allergens may
subsequently aggravate symptoms of allergic rhinitis [. A longitudinal birth cohort study
reports that children living near major roads have increased odds of runny nose and sneezing
during the first year of life as well as increased odds of sensitization during the first 8 years of
life . Similar results were found in Taiwan. A study of 32,143 Taiwanese school children
indicates that persistent exposure to NOX, CO, and SO2 may increase the prevalence of allergic
rhinitis. In addition, transportation-related air pollution is a possible risk factor for allergic
rhinitis in middle school-aged children .
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CANCER:-
Cancer is mainly the result of environmental factors.

A review of evidence regarding whether ambient air pollution exposure is a risk factor for
cancer in 2007 found solid data to conclude that long-term exposure to PM2.5 (fine
particulates)

3
increases the overall risk of non- accidental mortality by 6% per a 10 microg/m increase.
Exposure to PM2.5 was also associated with an increased risk of mortality from lung cancer

3
(range: 15% to 21% per 10 microg/m increase) and total cardiovascular mortality (range:

3
12% to 14% per a 10 microg/m increase). The review further noted that living close to busy
traffic appears to be associated with elevated risks of these three outcomes – increase in lung
cancer deaths, cardiovascular deaths, and overall non-accidental deaths. The reviewers also
found suggestive evidence that exposure to PM2.5 is positively associated with mortality from
coronary heart diseases and exposure to SO2 increases mortality from lung cancer, but the
data was insufficient to provide solid conclusions. Another investigation showed that higher
activity level increases deposition fraction of aerosol particles in human lung and
recommended avoiding heavy activities like running in outdoor space at polluted areas.

In 2011, a large Danish epidemiological study found an increased risk of lung cancer for
patients who lived in areas with high nitrogen oxide concentrations. In this study, the
association was higher for non-smokers than smokers. An additional Danish study, also in
2011, likewise noted evidence of possible associations between air pollution and other
forms of cancer, including cervical cancer and brain cancer.
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In December 2015, medical scientists reported that cancer is overwhelmingly a result of

environmental factors, and not largely down to bad luck. Maintaining a healthy weight,
eating a healthy diet, minimizing alcohol and eliminating smoking reduces the risk of
developing the disease, according to the researchers
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EFFECTS ON ECOLOGY
CHLOROSIS:-
Chlorosis is a condition in which leaves produce insufficient chlorophyll. As
chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of leaves, chlorotic leaves are
pale, yellow, or yellow-white. The affected plant has little or no ability to
manufacture carbohydrates through photosynthesis and may die .

Sulfur dioxide enters plants along with normal air components moving into the
leaves and reacting with cells inside the leaf which ultimately leads to chlorosis.
Ozone injury also leads to the same.

NECROSIS:-
Necrosis is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in
living tissue by autolysis.

Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection,

toxins, or trauma which result in the unregulated digestion of cell components.
In general ,SO2 pollution results in abscission of older leaves and tip necrosis in
flower and sepals.

GREEN HOUSE EFFECTS:-

Air pollution includes greenhouse gases. One of these is carbon di oxide, a
common part of the exhaust from cars and trucks. Green house gases cause
global warming by trapping heat from the sun, in the earth
atmosphere .Greenhouse gases are a natural part of earth atmosphere, but in the
last 150 years or so ,the amount in our atmosphere has increased. The increase
comes from car exhaust and pollutants released from smokestacks at factories
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and power plants. The increase in greenhouse gases is one of the main causes
for global warming .

CROP LOSSES:-
Many crops species are vulnerable to strong UV light and overexposure may
well lead to minimal growth, photosynthesis and flowering. Some of the crop
species vulnerable to UV light include barley, wheat, corn, oats, rice, broccoli,
tomatoes, cauliflower just to name a few. Forests equally bear the brunt of
ozone depletion and acid rain which is caused by air pollution .

ACID RAIN :-
Acid rain is a term which describes the acidity of wet and dry deposition. This
includes acidity falling as rain, snow, sleet, hail, mist or fog (wet deposition)
and the dry deposition of gases and particles.

Green house gases such co2 ,so2 are emitted by automobile

OZONE LAYER (O3) DEPLETION

The main cause for the depletion of ozone is determined as excessive release of
chlorine and bromine from man-made compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs). CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, CH3CCl3 (Methyl chloroform),
CCl4 (Carbon tetrachloride), HCFCs (hydro-chlorofluorocarbons),
hydrobromofluorocarbons and methyl bromide are found to have direct impact
on the depletion of the ozone layer. These are categorized as ozone-depleting
substances (ODS).

Ozone layer depletion leads to various problems such as global warming,

damage to human health ,skin cancer , chlorosis, threat to marine life and many
more
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AIR QUALITY ASSESSSMENT IN

KOLKATA

PRESENT COMPOSITION OF AIR IN

KOLKATA

According to the Census of India (2011), Kolkata had 4.5 million population,
with the urban agglomeration, which comprises the city and its suburbs, home
to approximately 14.1 million people, which makes it the third most densely
populated metropolitan area in the country .The first count is for Kolkata City
(4.5 million), which is under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), while
the second count (14.1 million) is for the Kolkata Metropolitan Authority
(KMA), which comprises the city (KMC) and its suburbs. The city of Kolkata
has been dubbed as one of the most unplanned and polluted cities in the world.
A study in comparison of air quality data among four metropolitan areas in
India indicates a higher pollution level in Kolkata in comparison to Mumbai and
Chennai, and is close to Delhi It has also been termed as the dusty city . Air
pollution in Kolkata becomes acute during winter, when pollution ranges higher
than at other times. On the other hand, the worst-polluted traffic intersections
double the city's average pollutants during busy hours .
A joint study by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), West Bengal
Department of Environment and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
has found that around 70% of people in the city of Kolkata suffer from
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respiratory disorders caused by air pollution . In 1995, an estimated 10,647

premature deaths were attributed to air pollution in Kolkata Studies have
demonstrated that children inhaling polluted air in Kolkata suffer from adverse
lung reactions and genetic abnormalities in exposed lung tissues Approximately
47% of Kolkata’s population suffers from lower respiratory tract symptoms
with the lungs of city residents being approximately seven times more burdened
compared to their rural counterparts due to air pollution Other air pollution-
related health problems, including haematological abnormalities, impaired liver
function, genetic changes, and neurobehavioral problems, are found to be more
prevalent amongst those categories of workers exposed to high levels of
vehicular emission. They include roadside hawkers, traffic policemen, and taxi
and auto drivers .
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PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND

CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION

CORRECTION AT SOURCE:-
To effectively tackle the problem of air pollution, it is essential to prevent
or minimize the formation of pollutants at the source. In case of industrial
pollution, this can be achieved by analysing the process design amid selecting
those methods that do not contribute to air pollution or have minimum impact
due to air pollution. This technique is known as 'source correction methods'.
The application of these methods is difficult, however some of these methods
can be applied without having a major impact on economy of operation.
Below described are a few methods for control of pollution at source.

Raw material change – When raw material causes air pollution, a purer grade
of raw material may reduce generation of undesirable substances.
An example in this regard is the use of low sulphur diesel in place of regular
diesel which contains a higher sulphur content leading to effluents with a high
concentration of sulphur particulates.
Another example would be usage of natural gas in place of coal to reduce the
generation of particulates (both suspended and respirable).

Operational change- By causing all dust creating activities that are generated
in a process to be effectively controlled and separated by effecting an
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operational change in the manufacturing industry. Moistening the dust thereby

binding the dust is a time old method to prevent dust from spreading.
Modification or replacement of process equipment – This involves use of
new or modified techniques to lower emission of atmospheric pollutants.

TREATMENT :-
The biological treatment of air pollution depends on aerobic microorganisms-
mostly mesophilic bacteria--that feed on both organic and inorganic compounds
in the waste gas. The microbes convert the pollutants into carbon dioxide,
water, and salts.

The technology primarily has been implemented in Europe. Facilities there have
been treating gas streams comprising hydrocarbons (as well as some chlorinated
organics) at concentrations below 1000 mg/m3 and at gas temperatures of 10 to
43 ºC, with low dust loads.

There are two main types of biological treatment technologies:

1. Biofilter :-
This is the simplest and least expensive biological treatment method. Its main
component is a bed of compost, tree bark, peat, heather, or soil, about 1m deep,
through which the contaminant gas is blown . The material in the biofilter bed
provides a diverse culture of microorganisms that degrade the gaseous
pollutants passing through.

2. Bioscrubber :-
A bioscrubber couples traditional air pollution control and wastewater treatment
technologies and consists of two units: a scrubber and a biological treatment
basin. The soluble waste gases and oxygen are continuously absorbed into water
in the scrubber. Biological oxidation occurs in the basin unit, which often is the
activated sludge basin of a wastewater treatment plant. Bioscrubbers are used
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where the biological degradation products (such as the acids produced during
H2S and NH3 removal) would harm a biofilter bed. In addition to
hydrocarbons, bioscrubbers are being used to remove chlorinated organics.

COLLECTION OF POLLUTANTS:-

The various devices used to collect pollutants are :-

Gravitational Settling Chamber:-

For removal of particles exceeding 50 µm in size from polluted gas streams,

gravitational settling chambers are put to use. This device consists of huge
rectangular chambers. The gas stream polluted with particulates is allowed to
enter from one end. The horizontal velocity of the gas stream is kept low (less
than 0.3 m/s) in order to give sufficient time for the particles to settle by gravity.

Wet Collectors (Scrubbers):-

In wet collectors or scrubbers, the particulate contaminants are removed from

the polluted gas stream by incorporating the particulates into liquid droplets.

Electrostatic Precipitators:-

The electrostatic precipitator works on the principle of electrostatic precipitation

i.e. electrically charged particulates present in the polluted gas are separated
from the gas stream under the influence of the electrical field.

Fabric Filters (Baghouse Filters):-

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In a fabric filter system, a stream of the polluted gas is made to pass through a
fabric that filters out the particulate pollutant and allows the clear gas to pass
through. The particulate matter is left in the form of a thin dust mat on the
insides of the bag.

GOVT RULES AND REGULATIONS:

Kolkata is making serious efforts to improve air quality. Some of the

challenges that faces on the road towards successful policy-making are human
migration, coal burning industries, diesel driven vehicles, legislation
harmonization and harmonization of databases, standards, researches and
methodologies. The management is done on two levels, central (the Ministry of
Environment, the WBPCB, the Ministry of Transport and Highways, etc.) and
local (Department of Environment and local bodies and authorities). In recent
years a number of legal interventions have taken place regarding vehicle
emissions, fuel quality, introduction of cleaner fuels and reducing old vehicles
which has greatly influenced the overall efforts to improve the air quality in
Kolkata .
There were various awareness campaigns raised, among which was the one
when the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) gave publicity to the
Supreme Court’s decision regarding the use of fireworks only between 6 a.m.
and 10 p.m. through a request made to mobile phone network companies to
send messages to their users with specific text on raising awareness. Also, in
2004 the WBPCB carried out a large number of inspections at firework
manufacturing facilities during October and November (just before the festival
season) and seized a large number of prohibited ones. The same happened
during the actual festival season. The WBPCB also established a monitoring
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network for ambient air quality measures of main air pollutants such as SPM,
SO2, NOx and Pb (Chakraborty and Bhattacharya 2004)
Another action to improve the air quality in Kolkata was the conversion of coal-
fired boilers to oil fired under the India Canada Environment Facility (ICEF)
project where the industries, WBPCB and ICEF were partners. It was
introduced as a strict regulation, but the industries were reimbursed 50% of the
total costs involved in the needed conversion. The situation in 2004 showed that
more than 70% of the industries had undergone this conversion. The overall
success of this action has been estimated to about 90% reduction in total PM
emitted from all boilers used in industries . In 2008 a major decision was taken
to improve the air quality in Kolkata. In July 2008 high court ordered to phase
out the 2-stroke autos and old commercial vehicles from the street of Kolkata by
December 2008. Due to lot of political pressure, the government was forced to
push the deadline to July 2009. In another policy, the decision was taken to
replace the old vehicles with new CNG (Concentrated Natural Gas) vehicles.
So, the implementation took place or started to take place from the beginning of
August 2009.
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CONCLUSION

The concentration of RPM and NO2 in the ambient air has been found to have
violated the national standards and exceeded the NAAQS. While interpreting
the pollution concentration, most of the monitoring stations have been found to
fall under the critical and high pollution categories.
The pollution categories, thus, emerged have been used for the selection of
dispensaries to conduct the health survey. While evaluating the responses
(mainly patients with respiratory diseases which share 85%) from the three
surveyed dispensaries, it emerges that people who reside in slums are found to
be have a significant share among the total participants. It may not be a sound
interpretation to say that those who are residing in slums are exposed more to
the pollution, which is why they experience a greater number of diseases of
respiratory origin. There may be some other causes towards their
susceptibility to the kind of diseases the study is evaluating, and for that further
exploration could be required. Along with exposure; poor living conditions, less
awareness towards avoiding pollution sources, lack of knowledge about
pollution, indoor cooking, and poor resistance to air pollution could be some of
the reasons that make slum-dwellers susceptible to the pollution-induced
diseases.
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Cooking inside the living room has emerged as the major issue practiced by
those living in the slums of Kolkata as expressed in this study. Although the
study has not been framed to assess the susceptibility of people to the indoor
pollution, it could infer the level of vulnerability the slum-dwellers are having
while being exposed to the indoor gases released due to domestic fuel exhaust.
As the study was made to assess the disease frequencies of respiratory origin at
dispensaries, it resulted in the following disease types, i.e., ARI, COPD,
Influenza, UTRI, bronchitis, asthma, AFB, etc. The cases with ARI infection
have emerged as the leading disease type. The study thus carried out has talked
about the cases and not included the control group, which may be taken as a
drawback. In the end, it would be worthwhile to suggest introducing a
comprehensive framework for slum development with focusses on their health
and habitation so that they could be brought under mainstream city living,
which may further help in bringing sustainable urban development in Kolkata.

This study aspires to be an introduction to the air pollution situation in

Kolkata, marking the various roles of the emission sources, geographical and
meteorological features of the city and their interactions. As mentioned before,
the availability of data restricts our analysis, but not to a great extent. Effective
use of statistical tools and mapping software established the results more
prominently, especially the influence of meteorological factors. This study also
tries to compare the difference or none between two periods, bringing to light
the inefficiency of the various state and non-state actors. A major hindrance for
effective implementation of any transport policy in Kolkata is the powerful
trade unions, a direct spin-off of the three-decade long communist party rule in
the state. These trade unions are politically influential and major vote banks,
hence, any policy, like the ban of polluting two-stroke three wheelers, which are
detrimental to their interests, will bring them in direct conflict with the
implementing body resulting in political dramas. The recent clashes in Kolkata
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