(a) the average trend of air pollution level recorded in the major cities
of the country during the last three years;
(b) whether the pollution has been within the permissible limits;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any study to ascertain the
various diseases caused by air pollution;
(e) if so, the outcome of the said study; and
(f) the corrective action taken by the Government to contain air pollution
and prevention of diseases caused thereby?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (f) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (f) of LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION
NO. 66 FOR 19.03.2012 REGARDING AIR POLLUTION.
(a) to (c) : Ambient air quality is monitored regularly in all the four major
cities, namely, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai by the Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) in association with concerned State Pollution Control Boards under
National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) in terms of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2),
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and PM10 (particulate matter having size less than 10 micron).
As per available data (Annexure-I) for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, the levels of
SO2 are within the prescribed standards (annual average – 50 µg/m3) in all these
cities whereas, levels of NO2 have consistently exceeded the norms (annual average –
40 µg/m3) in Delhi and Kolkata, and levels of PM10 have exceeded prescribed norms
(annual average – 60 µg/m3) in all these cities. There is a fluctuating trend as
far levels of SO2, NO2 and PM10 in ambient air are concerned.
(d) & (e) : Two epidemiological studies had been awarded to Chittaranjan
National Cancer Institute, Kolkata by CPCB, namely, ‘Epidemiological Study on Effect
of Air Pollution on Human Health (adults) in Delhi’; and ‘Study on Ambient Air Quality,
Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi’. Another study was awarded
by the Ministry of Environment & Forests to Institute of Health Systems, Hyderabad
namely, ‘Environmental Health effect-cause of Death in Hyderabad’.
Summary of findings of above mentioned three studies are enclosed as Annexure-II.
(f) : The Government have taken various steps to improve the ambient air quality,
contain air pollution and prevention of diseases caused thereby, inter alia, include :
i) Notification of emission standards for various categories of industries, under
the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986;
ii) Implementation of action plans for improvement of the ambient air quality in 16
cities apart from Delhi;
iii) Introduction of cleaner fuel (B.S. III/IV compliant) as per the Auto Fuel Policy;
iv) Introduction of gaseous fuel in select cities and towns;
v) Sale and registration of B.S. IV compliant passenger cars in selected cities apart
from National Capital Region with effect from 1st April, 2010;
vi) Use of beneficiated coal for coal based thermal power plants;
vii) Enforcement of ‘Pollution Under Control (PUC)’ certificate scheme to check exhaust
emissions from in-use vehicles;
viii) Sale of 2T pre-mix petrol for two stroke-two and three wheelers;
ix) Implementation of stringent emission norms for generator sets;
x) Source Apportionment Studies undertaken in six metro cities;
xi) Implementation of the recommendations of the Charter on Corporate Responsibility
for Environment Protection (CREP) for Seventeen Categories of air polluting industries;
xii) Establishment of National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network;
xiii) Inspection and monitoring of air polluting industries for compliance of the
emission norms; and
xiv) Strengthening of public transport including establishment of metro rail
in a few select cities.