Question : Pollution due to Carcinogenic Particles

(a) whether as per the report of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the level of pollution of carcinogenic particles is increasing constantly in the environment in industrial cities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether as per the report of CPCB, the State Pollution Control Board do not have the capability to measures the carcinogenic pollutants and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(d) the measures being taken by the Government to check the said pollution in the country?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) to (c) Central Pollution Control Board has not published any report with regard to levels of carcinogenic particles.

(d) The Government has taken several steps to mitigate air pollution which inter alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; formulation of environmental regulations / statutes; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels; promotion of cleaner production processes; universalization of BS-IV by 2017; comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules and notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of leaves/biomass/municipal solid waste; promotion of public transport and network of metro, Pollution Under Control Certificate, vehicle maintenance; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles; and ban on bursting of sound emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM; notification of graded response action plan for Delhi and NCR etc.

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