atmosphere

Communication
Can We Vacuum Our Air Pollution Problem Using
Smog Towers?
Sarath Guttikunda * and Puja Jawahar
Urban Emissions, New Delhi 110019, India; puja@urbanemissions.info
* Correspondence: sguttikunda@urbanemissions.info




Received: 29 July 2020; Accepted: 28 August 2020; Published: 29 August 2020


Abstract: In November 2019, the Supreme Court of India issued a notification to all the states in the
National Capital Region of Delhi to install smog towers for clean air and allocated INR 36 crores
(~USD 5.2 million) for a pilot. Can we vacuum our air pollution problem using smog towers?
The short answer is “no”. Atmospheric science defines the air pollution problem as (a) a dynamic
situation where the air is moving at various speeds with no boundaries and (b) a complex mixture
of chemical compounds constantly forming and transforming into other compounds. With no
boundaries, it is unscientific to assume that one can trap air, clean it, and release into the same
atmosphere simultaneously. In this paper, we outline the basics of atmospheric science to describe
why the idea of vacuuming outdoor air pollution is unrealistic, and the long view on air quality
management in Indian cities.

Keywords: India; Delhi; air quality; controls; smog towers; filtration systems

1. Introduction
Air pollution is a major health risk worldwide—outdoor PM2.5 (particulate matter) and
Ozone pollution accounted for an estimated 3 million and 0.5 million premature deaths,
respectively, and household (indoor) air pollution for an additional 1.6 million premature deaths [1].
Corresponding numbers for India are 680,000 for outdoor PM2.5 , 145,000 for outdoor ozone, and 480,000
for household pollution. Similar estimates were presented by researchers and scientists from the Indian
institutes [2–6]. In all the studies, the very young and the old are particularly vulnerable.
The year 2020 is an aberration in the pollution trends, with the COVID-19 lockdowns and a range
of restrictions for all the sectors [7]. Across India, ambient air pollution levels improved as much as 50%
compared to the annual trends for the same period in the previous year [8]. A summary of the data
from all the cities with at least one continuous air monitoring station is included in the Supplementary
Materials. Following the pandemic, epidemiological work on COVID-19 patients suggests that the risk
of mortality is higher among the population exposed to chronic PM2.5 and NO2 pollution [9,10].
One key lesson from the COVID-19 lockdowns worldwide, is that air pollution can be reduced
locally and globally by reducing the emissions at the sources. This was witnessed in the data from
the ground-based monitors worldwide and satellite retrievals over India, China, Italy, and the United
States [11–13]. The measures enacted during the lockdowns are unprecedented, but the results are
evidence that we eventually need to control the emissions at the sources for “clean air”.
While the messages are clear that high air pollution is the leading cause of health impacts and
“clean air” is only possible by addressing the emissions at the sources, in November 2019, the Supreme
Court of India issued a notification to all the states in the National Capital Region of Delhi (NCR) to
install smog towers. These giant filtering systems are being pursued as a control mechanism only in the
absence of real action to control the emissions at the sources and the continuing incidence of high air
pollution levels in Delhi and other major cities. Examples discussed in the notification for replication

Atmosphere 2020, 11, 922; doi:10.3390/atmos11090922 www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere

 While the messages are clear that high air pollution is the leading cause of health impacts and
“clean air” is only possible by addressing the emissions at the sources, in November 2019, the
Supreme Court of India issued a notification to all the states in the National Capital Region of Delhi
(NCR) to install smog towers. These giant filtering systems are being pursued as a control mechanism
only in the
Atmosphere absence
2020, 11, 922 of real action to control the emissions at the sources and the continuing incidence
2 of 11
of high air pollution levels in Delhi and other major cities. Examples discussed in the notification for
replication are (a) a 100 m high purification tower in Xi’an, China [14] and (b) experimental large
are (a) a 100 m high purification tower in Xi’an, China [14] and (b) experimental large vacuum cleaners
vacuum cleaners called Wind Augmentation and Air Purifying Units (WAYU) were deployed in the
called Wind Augmentation and Air Purifying Units (WAYU) were deployed in the cities of Delhi,
cities of Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with no operational details, and (c) a smaller version of the
Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with no operational details, and (c) a smaller version of the Xi’an smog tower
Xi’an smog tower in Delhi (Figure 1). The latter designs also include “mist makers” to initiate
in Delhi (Figure 1). The latter designs also include “mist makers” to initiate coagulation and induce wet
coagulation and induce wet scavenging of the particles. The units installed in Delhi and Mumbai
scavenging of the particles. The units installed in Delhi and Mumbai were designed by the National
were designed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Indian
Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai)
Institute of Technology (Mumbai) and inaugurated by the then Minister of Environment [15].
and inaugurated by the then Minister of Environment [15].

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 1. Examples of ambient filtering systems: (a) a smog tower from Xi’an, China, (Image edited
Figure 1. Examples of ambient filtering systems: (a) a smog tower from Xi’an, China, (Image edited
from South China Morning Post), (b) a Wind Augmentation and Air Purifying Unit (WAYU) in Delhi,
from South China Morning Post), (b) a Wind Augmentation and Air Purifying Unit (WAYU) in Delhi,
and (c) a smaller version of Xi’an’s filtering system in Delhi.
and (c) a smaller version of Xi’an’s filtering system in Delhi.
A fundamental question remains, “can we vacuum our air pollution problem using smog towers
A fundamental
and mist makers”? question
The shortremains,
answer“can we vacuum
is “no”. The idea ourofair pollutionwhat
removing problem using smog
is already in thetowers
air is
and mist makers”? The short answer is “no”. The idea of removing what
unrealistic, given the dynamic nature of air pollution, which moves and transforms simultaneously. is already in the air is
unrealistic, given the dynamic nature of air pollution, which moves and transforms
In this paper, we outline the basics of atmospheric science to describe why the idea of vacuuming simultaneously.
In this paper,
outdoor we outline
air pollution the basics of
is unscientific, andatmospheric
the long viewscience to describe
on air why the ideainofIndian
quality management vacuuming
cities.
outdoor air pollution is unscientific, and the long view on air quality management
In India, PM2.5 is considered the main criteria pollutant for environmental compliance and public in Indian cities. In
India, PM 2.5 is considered the main criteria pollutant for environmental compliance and public health,
health, and all of the discussion in this paper is about PM.
and all of the discussion in this paper is about PM.
2. The Sciences
2. The Sciences
The definition of atmospheric science can be explained via the three basic sciences—Mathematics,
Theand
Physics, definition
Chemistry. of atmospheric science can be explained via the three basic sciences—
Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
2.1. Mathematics
2.1. Mathematics
Mathematics relates to the “quantification” of the problem. In a box model version of a city
Mathematics
(Figure 2), the size relates to the
of the city and“quantification”
the height of theofinversion
the problem.layer In a determine
will box modelthe version
amountof aofcity
air
(Figure 2),
present the size
at any givenofinstance.
the city and
Thethe height of
inversion the is
layer inversion layerlayer
an invisible will of
determine
air, which thedetermines
amount ofthe air
present
total at any
volume of given instance.
air available for The inversion
horizontal andlayer is an
vertical invisible
mixing. Thislayer of isair,
height which determines
determined by prevalentthe
total volume
surface of air air
temperature, available for horizontal
temperature at the groundandandvertical
uppermixing. This height
layers, humidity is determined
levels, and land cover,by
prevalent
all varyingsurface
in timetemperature,
and space. Thereair temperature
is seasonalityatassociated
the groundwith andtheupper layers,layer—highest
inversion humidity levels, and
during
landsummer
the cover, all varying
months andinlowest
time and space.
during There is
the winter seasonality
months. This is associated with the
a typical trend inversion
for most of thelayer—
inland
cities in India [16]. The coastal cities like Chennai and Mumbai experience lesser variation across the
seasons due to the constant presence of land–sea breeze.
Atmosphere 2020, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 13

highest during the summer months and lowest during the winter months. This is a typical trend for
most of the inland cities in India [16]. The coastal cities like Chennai and Mumbai experience lesser
Atmosphere
variation2020, 11, 922
across the seasons due to the constant presence of land–sea breeze. 3 of 11

(a) (b)

Figure 2. Depiction of a box model pollution calculation with varying inversion heights (a) for summer
Figure 2. Depiction of a box model pollution calculation with varying inversion heights (a) for
months and (b) for winter months.
summer months and (b) for winter months.
Pollution (in the units of µg/m3 ) is defined as mass over volume, where mass is the emission load
Pollution
and volume (in amount
is the the unitsofof airμg/m
3) is defined as mass over volume, where mass is the emission
present. In the summer months, a higher volume of air means more
load and
room volume
for lateral andis the amount
vertical of airand
mixing, present. In thefor
vice versa summer months,
the winter a higher
months. volume
For the sameofamount
air meansof
emissions in all the months, concentrations are bound to be higher in the winter months andamount
more room for lateral and vertical mixing, and vice versa for the winter months. For the same lower
ofthe
in emissions
summer in months.
all the months, concentrations
For “clean air” and lowerare bound to be higherthe
concentrations, in requirement
the winter months andhigher
is either lower
in the summer months. For “clean air” and lower concentrations, the
inversion layer height or lower emissions. It is next to impossible to alter meteorology; however,requirement is either higher
inversionemissions
reducing layer height or lower
should emissions.
be relatively easy.It is next to impossible to alter meteorology; however,
reducing
In theemissions
box model, should be relatively
we assumed thateasy.
emissions remain constant over months. This is not true.
Emissions
In the box model, we assumed that case
are also seasonal, which in the of India
emissions are higher
remain in the
constant over winter months
months. This from
is notspace
true.
heating
Emissions needs
are [17]
alsoalong withwhich
seasonal, a lowering
in the in mixing
case height,
of India furtherincompounding
are higher the winter months the airfrompollution
space
problem. A hypothetical
heating needs [17] along case withisa illustrated
lowering ininmixing
Table 1height,
for what couldcompounding
further be the changes theinair
thepollution
overall
pollution when the city size expands, emissions halve or double, or for changes
problem. A hypothetical case is illustrated in Table 1 for what could be the changes in the overall in the meteorological
conditions.
pollution when All the
thecalculations assumeemissions
city size expands, a steady state
halvecondition.
or double,The worst-case
or for changes in scenario is when the
the meteorological
emissions double and the mixing height drops to a quarter of the norm,
conditions. All the calculations assume a steady state condition. The worst-case scenario is resulting in a 700% increase
when thein
the overall double
emissions pollution.andDuring
the mixingthe winter
height haze
dropsepisodes,
to a quarter areasof between
the norm,Punjab, Haryana,
resulting in a 700% and Delhi
increase
experience these conditions [18,19]—emissions nearly double compared to
in the overall pollution. During the winter haze episodes, areas between Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi summer months with the
addition of agricultural residue burning and the onset of winter season
experience these conditions [18,19]—emissions nearly double compared to summer months with the requiring more biomass and
coal combustion
addition to support
of agricultural space burning
residue heating, with a simultaneous
and the onset of winter dropseason
in the surface
requiringandmore
air temperatures.
biomass and
Typical
coal combustion to support space heating, with a simultaneous drop in the surface mand
day-time mixing layer heights are 1000–2000 m in the summer months and 100–200 in the
air
winter months. Typical night-time heights are half of this.
temperatures. Typical day-time mixing layer heights are 1000–2000 m in the summer months and
100–200 m in the winter months. Typical night-time heights are half of this.
Table 1. A hypothetical pollution calculation for a city using a steady state box model method.
W = width of the city; L = length of the city; H = mixing height; E = emissions.
Table 1. A hypothetical pollution calculation for a city using a steady state box model method. W =
width of Study
the city;
andL =Institution
length of the city; H = mixing
W height;
L E = emissions.
H E Pollution %Change
Study
Base case, and
all asInstitution
usual 1.0 W
1.0 L 1.0 H 1.0E Pollution
1.0 %Change
0%
City size doubles in width and length and no
Base 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 −75%
change in case, all as usual
the emissions 1.0 1.0 1.0 0%
Emission doubles,
City size doubleseverything
in widthelse
andis length
the same 1.0
and no 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 +100%
2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.25 −75%
change
Mixing height in the
doubles, emissions
everything else is
1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 −50%
the same
Emission doubles, everything else is the same 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 +100%
Mixing height halves, everything else is
1.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 2.0 +100%
the same
Mixing height doubles, everything else is the same 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 −50%
Emission doubles and mixing height halves 1.0 1.0 0.5 2.0 4.0 +300%
Mixing height
Emission halves,
doubles andeverything elseisis the same
mixing height 1.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 2.0 +100%
1.0 1.0 0.25 2.0 8.0 +700%
one quarter
Emission halves and everything else is
1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 −50%
the same
Atmosphere 2020, 11, 922 4 of 11

Mathematically, for a given set of seasonal patterns in meteorology, especially over the
Indo-Gangetic plain, the best option is to cut the emissions at the sources and disperse the emissions to
Atmosphere 2020, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 13
farther distances via better urban planning.
2.2. Physics
2.2. Physics
Physics relates to the “movement” of the problem. A popular saying is that “pollution knows no
Physics relates to the “movement” of the problem. A popular saying is that “pollution knows
boundaries”. The box model assuming closed walls in Figure 2 and Table 1 is good to illustrate the
no boundaries”. The box model assuming closed walls in Figure 2 and Table 1 is good to illustrate
point that emissions are key for any increase and decrease in pollution levels. Simultaneously,
the point that emissions are key for any increase and decrease in pollution levels. Simultaneously,
meteorology plays an important role in determining how much of those emissions stay in the box,
meteorology plays an important role in determining how much of those emissions stay in the box,
determined by the horizontal wind components (U and V), or how much of those emissions will stay
determined by the horizontal wind components (U and V), or how much of those emissions will stay
close to the surface, determined by the vertical wind component (W) (Figure 3).
close to the surface, determined by the vertical wind component (W) (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Three-dimensional motion of air through a city.

Figure 3. Three-dimensional motion of air through a city.
This adds two new dimensions to the air pollution problem: (a) the air is not static over the
This adds two new dimensions to the air pollution problem: (a) the air is not static over the city—
city—between wind speeds of 1 m/s and 2 m/s, the latter is pushing twice the amount of air through the
between wind speeds of 1 m/s and 2 m/s, the latter is pushing twice the amount of air through the
city boundaries; (b) the air from outside the boundary carries outside emissions, which add to the total
city boundaries; (b) the air from outside the boundary carries outside emissions, which add to the
emissions inside the city. Similarly, emissions from inside the city will be carried to a city downwind.
total emissions inside the city. Similarly, emissions from inside the city will be carried to a city
This is called “long-range transport” of pollution—sometimes this is an exchange of pollution between
downwind. This is called “long-range transport” of pollution—sometimes this is an exchange of
the cities and sometimes between the states. For example, a city like Delhi is surrounded by satellite
pollution between the cities and sometimes between the states. For example, a city like Delhi is
cities Gurugram (from the state of Haryana) in the West and Noida (from the state of Uttar Pradesh)
surrounded by satellite cities Gurugram (from the state of Haryana) in the West and Noida (from the
in the East. There is constant movement of vehicles between these cities and in a map of urban
state of Uttar Pradesh) in the East. There is constant movement of vehicles between these cities and
built-up area, it is difficult to draw a closed box [20]. In this case, depending on the wind direction,
in a map of urban built-up area, it is difficult to draw a closed box [20]. In this case, depending on the
emissions from each of these cities are affecting the others downwind.
wind direction, emissions from each of these cities are affecting the others downwind.
The effect of long-range transport is also prominent during the seasonal dust storms (May–June)
originating from
The effect ofthe Middle transport
long-range East or the is Thar desert in the
also prominent statethe
during of seasonal
Rajasthan [21],
dust and agricultural
storms (May–June)
residue burning
originating from(April–May
the Middleand October–November)
East or the Thar desertoriginating
in the statemostly from the[21],
of Rajasthan states of agricultural
and Punjab and
Haryana
residue burning (April–May and October–November) originating mostly from the states emissions
[22]. In both cases, seasonal wind speeds are high enough to pick up and push the of Punjab
into
and the higher[22].
Haryana altitudes,
In bothsupport inter-state
cases, seasonal transport,
wind speeds and affectenough
are high the pollution
to picklevels
up and downwind.
push the
The overall into
emissions known thehorizontal advectionsupport
higher altitudes, and vertical mixingtransport,
inter-state schemes are andmore complex
affect than described
the pollution levels
in this paper.
downwind. The overall known horizontal advection and vertical mixing schemes are more complex
thanGuttikunda
described in etthis
al. (2019)
paper.[16] presents an analysis for 20 Indian cities, documenting contributions of
emissions inside and outside the city airsheds. On average, 30% of the pollution observed in these cities
Guttikunda
originates outsideetthe al. city
(2019) [16] presents
limits. For citiesan in analysis
North India for 20 Indian
like cities, Amritsar,
Ludhiana, documenting andcontributions
Chandigarh,
of emissions inside and outside the city airsheds. On average,
the long-range transport contribution is more than 50% on an annual basis. 30% of the pollution observed in these
citiesThe
originates outside the city limits. For cities in North India like
movement of the pollution also includes scavenging—dry deposition when the pollutants Ludhiana, Amritsar, and
Chandigarh, the long-range transport contribution is more than 50% on
are in contact with a surface and wet deposition during the rains. The dry deposition rates for an annual basis.
variousThepollutants
movement areofdetermined
the pollutionby also
the surface
includes roughness,
scavenging—drysoil moisture content,
deposition andthe
when wind speeds.
pollutants
are in contact with a surface and wet deposition during the rains. The dry deposition rates for various
pollutants are determined by the surface roughness, soil moisture content, and wind speeds. Under
windy conditions and over dry surfaces, we have lesser deposition of the particulates, and vice versa
on the trees with enough moisture on the leaves.
Atmosphere 2020, 11, 922 5 of 11

Under windy conditions and over dry surfaces, we have lesser deposition of the particulates, and vice
Atmosphere 2020, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 13
versa on the trees with enough moisture on the leaves.
2.3. Chemistry
2.3. Chemistry
Chemistry relates to the “composition” of the problem—the critical one of the three sciences, as
Chemistry relates to the “composition” of the problem—the critical one of the three sciences,
it links PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO and ozone directly to all known health impacts. Of the six
as it links PM2.5 , PM10 , SO2 , NO2 , CO and ozone directly to all known health impacts. Of the six
pollutants, the most critical is PM2.5, and its chemical composition is different in space and time
pollutants, the most critical is PM2.5 , and its chemical composition is different in space and time [23,24].
[23,24]. While the first five pollutants are part of direct emissions, ozone is a secondary compound
While the first five pollutants are part of direct emissions, ozone is a secondary compound formed in
formed in the atmosphere in the presence of NOx and hydrocarbons.
the atmosphere in the presence of NOx and hydrocarbons.
AA sample
sampleof ofPMPM2.52.5can
canprovide
provide information
information not
not only
only ononhowhowmuchmuch pollution
pollution there
there is, but
is, but alsoalso
on
on the fuel origins of the mass on the filter. Figure 4 presents a summary
the fuel origins of the mass on the filter. Figure 4 presents a summary of the key marker metals, of the key marker metals,
elements, and
elements, and compounds
compounds associated
associated with with major
major sources.
sources. There
There areare overlaps
overlaps between
between the the sources
sources
and the ratio of the markers also vary significantly, which allows for statistically
and the ratio of the markers also vary significantly, which allows for statistically apportioning source apportioning source
contributions. These markers range from metals from direct combustion of
contributions. These markers range from metals from direct combustion of fuels, like coal and diesel,fuels, like coal and diesel,
to contributions
to contributionsfrom fromother gases,
other likelike
gases, SO2 SOforming sulphate
2 forming aerosols
sulphate (in a series
aerosols (in aofseries
reactions
of involving
reactions
ozone and some intermediate radicals),
involving ozone and some intermediate radicals), NO x forming nitrate aerosols and hydrocarbons
NOx forming nitrate aerosols and hydrocarbons forming
secondary
forming organic aerosols
secondary (via 500+
organic aerosols known
(via reactions
500+ known with ozone
reactions withandozoneintermediate radicals)
and intermediate [25,26].
radicals)
Ozone is a by-product of these 500+ reactions. Most of the chemical transformation
[25,26]. Ozone is a by-product of these 500+ reactions. Most of the chemical transformation between between gases
and aerosols takes place during the long-range transport—in other words,
gases and aerosols takes place during the long-range transport—in other words, a significant portion a significant portion of
thethe
of PM PM2.52.5samples
samplescollected
collectedininthe thecity
cityare
arethere
therebecause
because ofof the
the emissions
emissions originating outside the
originating outside the
city [16]. The secondary nature of the PM originating from sources not likely within
city [16]. The secondary nature of the PM2.52.5originating from sources not likely within a city boundary, a city boundary,
complicates the
complicates the overall
overall pollution
pollution control
control strategy.
strategy.

Figure
Figure 4.
4. Key
Key metal
metal and
and ion
ion markers
markers of
of various
various sources
sources contributing to PM
contributing to PM2.5
2.5. .

3. Do
3. DoSmog
SmogTowers
Towers Work?
Work?
For managing
For managingoutdoor
outdoorairairpollution,
pollution,thetheanswer
answeris is still
still “no”.
“no”. Atmospheric
Atmospheric science
science defines
defines the the
air
air pollution problem as (a) a dynamic situation where the air is moving at
pollution problem as (a) a dynamic situation where the air is moving at various speeds with no various speeds with no
boundaries, and
boundaries, and (b)
(b) aacomplex
complex mixture
mixture of
of chemical
chemical compounds
compounds constantly
constantly forming
forming andand transforming
transforming
into other compounds. With no boundaries, it is unscientific to assume that
into other compounds. With no boundaries, it is unscientific to assume that one can trap air, one can trap air,clean
cleanit,
it,
and release
and release into
into the same atmosphere simultaneously. Expecting Expecting filtering
filtering units
units to
to provide
provide any
any
noticeable results
noticeable results at
at the
the community
community level
level is
is unrealistic.
unrealistic. This
This isis illustrated
illustrated in
in a back-of-the-envelope
back-of-the-envelope
calculation for
calculation for Delhi
Delhi (Table
(Table 2)
2) using two pilots under consideration,
consideration, (a) (a) T1: aa smog
smog tower
tower inin Xi’an
Xi’an
(China) designed to filter 10 million m3 of air every day; (b) T2: a smaller version of T1 piloted in
Delhi’s Lajpat number market in January 2020, with a capacity of 600,000 m3/day.

For these calculations, we considered Delhi’s airshed, including its satellite cities Gurugram,
Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Rohtak, covering an area of 7000 sq.km (~84 km ×
Atmosphere 2020, 11, 922 6 of 11

(China) designed to filter 10 million m3 of air every day; (b) T2: a smaller version of T1 piloted in
Delhi’s Lajpat number market in January 2020, with a capacity of 600,000 m3 /day.

Table 2. Outdoor air pollution filtering efficiency of the smog towers in Delhi’s airshed.

Variable Delhi’s Airshed T1: Xi’an Smog Tower T2: Delhi’s 2020 Pilot
Filtering capacity under full
400,000 25,000
implementation (m3 /h)
Average airshed volume (m3 /h), 1,209,600 million in the
calculated using inputs from summer 120,960 million
Table 3 in the winter
0.000033% in the summer 0.000002% in the summer
Filtering efficiency as the amount
and 0.00033% in the and 0.00002% in the
of air filtered in one hour
winter winter
3,024,000 units in the 50,000,000 units in the
Number of towers required at
summer and 302,400 summer and 5,000,000
full capacity
units in the winter units in the winter
The Supreme Court of
INR 700,000 (~USD
India allocated INR 36 Unknown; reported pilot
Unit cost 10,000) + operations and
crores (~USD 5.2 million) cost is USD 10 million
maintenance
for replication of T1
Required capital cost for full
USD 15,725 billion USD 500 billion
implementation in Delhi
Required operations and
maintenance costs for full HIGH HIGH
implementation in Delhi

Table 3. Summary of all day (AD), daytime (DT), and nighttime (NT) averages (± standard deviations)
of mixing heights (MH in m), near surface temperature (T in ◦ C), and near surface wind speeds (WS in
m/s) by month. Data is extracted from Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model simulations using
the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis fields for the year 2018.
Variable January February March April May June July August September October November December
MH–AD 298 ± 58 516 ± 94 926 ± 198 1075 ± 254 1243 ± 307 1054 ± 244 573 ± 240 505 ± 152 462 ± 123 501 ± 91 350 ± 73 286 ± 71
MH–DT 557 ± 118 974 ± 187 1801 ± 393 2066 ± 501 2377 ± 640 1855 ± 485 994 ± 450 906 ± 269 827 ± 239 959 ± 184 651 ± 129 534 ± 140
MH–NT 39 ± 8 57 ± 56 51 ± 18 84 ± 45 109 ± 60 254 ± 124 153 ± 85 104 ± 58 97 ± 105 43 ± 13 50 ± 33 38 ± 8
T–DT 18.9 ± 1.8 24.2 ± 2.8 30.5 ± 2.6 35.5 ± 2.4 39.4 ± 2.7 39.0 ± 3.2 33.9 ± 2.9 33.0 ± 2.1 31.4 ± 2.2 30.0 ± 1.6 25.3 ± 1.5 18.8 ± 2.2
T–NT 9.9 ± 1.5 15.3 ± 2.5 19.6 ± 1.8 26.3 ± 2.2 31.1 ± 1.8 34.0 ± 2.3 30.6 ± 2.1 29.3 ± 1.3 26.5 ± 1.1 21.8 ± 1.8 17.5 ± 1.9 11.1 ± 2.8
WS–AD 2.7 ± 0.7 2.8 ± 0.9 3.1 ± 0.6 3.8 ± 0.8 3.7 ± 0.9 4.5 ± 1.2 3.1 ± 0.7 2.7 ± 0.7 2.8 ± 0.9 2.5 ± 0.5 2.7 ± 0.7 2.4 ± 0.6

For these calculations, we considered Delhi’s airshed, including its satellite cities Gurugram, Noida,
Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Rohtak, covering an area of 7000 sq.km (~84 km × 84 km).
Table 3 presents a summary of mixing heights, near surface temperature, and wind speeds for the
year 2018. The average wind speed in the domain is 4 m/s (=14.4 km/h) in the summer months and
2 m/s (=7.2 km/h) in the winter months. Similarly, the average mixing heights are 1000 m and 200 m,
respectively. This translates to an average exchange of 1,209,600 million m3 /h and 120,960 million
m3 /h of air in the summer and winter months, respectively (city side * speed * mixing height)—this
calculation assumes a steady state with constant flow of air and no vertical mixing.
The concept of vacuum cleaning has worked in closed environments. For example, (a) in a closed
room, if the doors and windows remain shut, then an air purifier is an efficient way to clean the
air [27]. This emulates a box model containing a constant amount of air with limited movement.
When purifying the closed room, all the dust is collected on a filter, which requires either cleaning or
replacement after some time, and a clean disposal of the dust collected. During high pollution days,
the frequency of cleaning and replacement is more (b) at the end of a combustion unit, with flue gas
moving at a constant flow rate in one direction, like a power plant boiler with a chimney. The system
will include an inlet for polluted air and an outlet for cleaned air. This system is designed to trap
Atmosphere 2020, 11, 922 7 of 11

emissions at the source, before entering the atmosphere at the top of the chimney. In this case, all the
dust (fly ash) from the cyclone bags or electrostatic precipitators or filters also need clean collection and
disposal [28]. (c) In a subway tunnel, where the air flow is limited and prone to increased exposure
levels, a purifier will induce an artificial air flow, diluting the incoming air, and thus reducing the
overall exposure levels. None of these examples present the use of filtering systems to clean the
air permanently.
In an outdoor environment, at best these systems are a demonstration of a filtering system with
negligible efficiencies (Table 2), whose performance at a power plant, or at any of the end of the pipe
applications where the emissions originate, is the most efficient.

4. Taking a Long View on Air Quality Management

The air pollution problem in India is year-round [29,30]. The winter months (November,
December, January, and February) are the worst, with stagnant meteorology stifling the lateral and
vertical movement of pollution, low temperatures pushing the need for space heating, which is
mostly met using biomass [17], and some seasonal emissions from agricultural residue burning [22].
These are in addition to the all-year combustion of petrol, diesel, gas, coal, and waste in the transport,
industrial, and domestic sectors, and resuspended from the construction activities and traffic on the
roads. The monsoon months (June, July, and August) are the best, with enhanced wet scavenging
across the country.
The air pollution problem in India is not limited to the cities. An analysis of annual average
PM2.5 concentrations, using a combination of satellite retrievals and global emission inventories for the
period of 1998–2018, suggests that 60% of the districts do not meet the national ambient standard of
40 µg/m3 and 98% do not meet the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m3 [31]. Typically, North Indian districts
are more adversely affected from chronic air pollution.
The judicial system played a central role in several air pollution decisions in India:
• In 1998, the Supreme Court ruled to convert public transport buses and para-transit vehicles to
run on compressed natural gas (CNG). This was a public interest litigation, which also led to
other emission control measures in Delhi [32,33]. CNG conversion was the most successful for
the transport sector and, in the early 2000s, the city of Delhi witnessed a reduction in emissions
and pollution. However, the scale of replacement has not been replicated in any other Indian city
since, and the overall bus fleet composition in Delhi has remained the same irrespective of the
growing demand [34].
• In 2015, three toddlers filed a public interest ligation in the Supreme Court of India, to request
a full ban on the sale of fireworks. In an apparent victory for cleaner air, in November 2016,
the Court ordered a complete ban on the sale of firecrackers in the NCR. What seemed to be a
progressive measure was, however, annulled by a ‘temporary’ ruling, when the ban was lifted
with the caveat that the ban will be reinstituted if there is evidence that fireworks are a major
pollutant during the festive season.
• In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the introduction of BS-VI standard vehicles
nationwide, starting 1 April 2020, instead of the original plan for 2025 under the auto fuel policy.
• In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of an immediate ban on the use of pet coke (with high
sulphur content) in all industries in the NCR by June 2019.
Time and again, judicial interventions have resulted in putting pressure on the respective agencies
to implement long-term measures for long-term benefits.
Non-judicial interventions proposed and implemented for improving air quality and health are:
• In 2015, the Government of India launched the smart cities program for 100 cities. While air
quality was not explicitly mentioned as the environment indicator, the proposed activities were
designed to benefit overall air quality. These included a ranking system to evaluate the waste
management programs, road cleaning, and street greening in the cities.
Atmosphere 2020, 11, 922 8 of 11

• In December 2016, Delhi proposed the Graded Responsibility Action Plan (GRAP), a series
of measures to enforce under poor, very poor, severe and emergency levels of pollution [35].
These decisions are made based on a 48-h running average of the air quality index, calculated using
hourly PM2.5 and PM10 levels. This plan is now an example for other cities in the Indo-Gangetic
Plain to replicate. A missing link in the program is an independent body with teeth to clamp
down on offending polluters across states.
• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas took an important first step with the Pradhan Mantri
Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in 2016, providing liquified petroleum gas (LPG) connections to the
poorest households. As of September 2019, the PMUY has connected 80 million beneficiaries by
directly transferring subsidies to the bank accounts of women in these households and improving
indoor and outdoor health [36]. While the number of connections is on the rise, there are barriers
to LPG uptake, which need to be addressed [37].
• In April 2015, a parliamentary standing committee proposed new emission standards for all the
coal-fired thermal power plants. These standards were ratified in December 2015, tightening the
standards for PM and introducing standards for SO2 , NOx , and mercury for the first time.
If implemented in full, these standards are expected to yield a 50% drop in the PM2.5 (primary
and secondary) pollution from these plants [38,39]. All the power plants are expected to comply
in 2022.
• Financial support from the Government of India for the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing
of Electric Vehicles (FAME) program, made electric vehicles (EVs) a new policy and economic
choice for small- and large-scale applications. The program now includes subsides for two-,
three-, and four-wheelers and the introduction of EV buses into the public transportation system.
The Delhi transport corporation is expected to receive its first 1000 buses in 2021–2022 and the
Delhi government is promoting EVs to account for 25% of new registrations by 2024.
In 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) announced the
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for 122 non-attainment cities from 20 states and three union
territories [40]. Under the NCAP, every city is required to prepare a list of actions necessary to
reduce their PM2.5 levels by 20–30%, compared to 2017, by 2024. The authors of [41] present a review
of these action plans, summarizing the key action points that all the cities want to implement as:
(a) augmenting public transport, (b) eradicating road and construction dust, (c) abolishing open waste
burning, (d) promoting clean cooking, (e) implementing industrial emission standards, (f) increasing
ambient monitoring capacity, and (g) raising public awareness. While improving ambient monitoring
capacity and raising public awareness are short-term activities (with long-term maintenance), all others
are part of long-term planning, designed to reduce emissions at the sources.
Following the approval of the 102 NCAP city action plans by MoEFCC, the prevalence of
pollution episodes in October–November 2019, and limited action in the cities to counter air pollution,
the Supreme Court bench again intervened to demand the installation of smog towers and allocated
INR 36 crores (~USD 5.2 million) for the replication of the Xi’an’s smog tower design in Delhi. In
August 2020, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Indian Institute of Technology
(Bombay) to design and construct the system. Wasting the judicial power by implementing band aid
measures is not only unscientific, but also a waste of limited financial and technical resources. We
cannot vacuum our way to “clean air”.

5. Conclusions
The city clean air action plans provide proof that there is enough technical know-how on how
much air pollution there is, the key sectors that need attention, the institutional requirements to
implement long-term strategies, and the ways in which they can be addressed [40,41]. These action
plans need institutional and financial support. At the institutional level, there are three tasks that
need immediate attention, where the judiciary can help to move the strategies forward: (1) Personnel
and Capacity— CPCB and the state pollution control boards are too understaffed to perform auditory
Atmosphere 2020, 11, 922 9 of 11

and scientific operations. (2) Monitoring infrastructure—as of June 2020, there are 230 continuous
monitoring stations operated and maintained by CPCB in 124 (of 715) districts. More than half of these
districts have only one station and 70 monitors are in the vicinity of the NCR, which demonstrates
the bias in measuring and managing air pollution outside the big cities like Delhi. To spatially and
temporally represent the air pollution problem, India requires at least 4000 continuous air quality
monitoring systems (2800 in the urban areas and 1200 in the rural areas). (3) Information support—air
quality management requires information on emission loads, source contributions, costs and benefits of
interventions, and a way to prioritize actions. The funds allocated by the Supreme Court for temporary
interventions like testing smog towers are most useful for implementing these permanent solutions.

Supplementary Materials: The following are available online at http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/9/922/s1,

Table S1: Summary of air quality in 124 cities in India for the periods before and during the 4 COVID-19 lockdowns.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, writing, and editing—S.G. and P.J.; Methodology, resources,
and visualization—S.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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