Choking in the capital

In May 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) named New Delhi as the most polluted city in the world, closely followed by other Indian cities, namely Patna, Gwalior and Raipur. In all, 13 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, according to the report, are in India.

The conclusion about the national capital being the most polluted was reached by measuring and comparing the ambient[am-bee-unt(close,परिवेशी)] air pollution (AAP) levels of cities around the world. The ambient air pollution report of 2014 revealed that New Delhi had the highest concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size).

AAP is a measure of the presence of fine particulate matter suspended in the air. These are a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances in solid and liquid state.These fine particulates enter the blood stream and lungs of humans and pose major health hazards[ha-zud(risk,जोखिम)]. The most dangerous fine particulates are 10 microns or less in diameter (PM10). According to WHO standards, the level of PM2.5 should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic metre. As per the WHO report, New Delhi led the charts with a whopping concentration of 153 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre. With these numbers, air pollution levels in New Delhi left behind many of the world’s most economically powerful cities including New York, London, Singapore and Moscow which have a PM2.5 score of 14, 16, 17 and 22 respectively.

What is as outrageous[awt'rey-jus[worst,ख़राब)] as the high amounts of these particulates is the fact that a day after the WHO revealed its findings, the Central Pollution Control Board of India (CPCBI) denied them, citing[siting(mentioned,उल्लेख)] low rainfall and arbitrary[aa-bu-t(ru-)ree(self decided,मनमाना)] site selection for measuring PM as reasons for the high levels.

Official indifference

Not only is the average Delhi citizen living in conditions unfit for human beings according to the international WHO standards, but the one organisation empowered with the task of controlling the pollution levels either has its facts wrong or is feeding lies to the media to control public outrage[awt,rey(anger,गुस्सा)]. The CPCBI would be better off issuing warnings and guidelines for citizens of the city to minimise the health hazards facing them on a daily basis.

Those suffering direct consequences[kón-si-kwun(t)s(result,परिणाम)] of this polluted air are inevitably[i'ne-vu-tu-blee(necessary,निःसंदेह)] the persons who call New Delhi their home. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-profit organisation, estimated the risks an average Delhi resident is exposed to and discovered that levels of air pollution are at their peak during the mornings and nights. Also, average pollution levels were found to be up to eight times higher on the city’s roads. Persons suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems are at greatest risk from inhaling the polluted Delhi air.

The Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, conducted a study comparing the respiratory health status of children studying in Delhi with children studying in rural areas and smaller towns of India. Children from Delhi were found to suffer from lung damage, eye irritation, headache, nausea, palpitation fatigue and breathing problems twice as much as children from other places. Children are clearly more vulnerable[vúl-nu-ru-bul(unsafe,असुरक्षित)] to air pollution than adults. Their bodies have higher oxygen demands, which means they inhale more air. Also, as their lungs and immune systems are still developing, they are more vulnerable to inhaled pollutants. This study of teens and pre-teens revealed that children living in Delhi are at an extremely high risk of developing permanent respiratory problems. Though the study was commissioned by the CPCBI, no steps were taken after it to counter the effects of pollution or to make the citizens aware of the results. Even the schools surveyed had no idea until recently of the findings.

Generation compromised

This indicates the appalling[u'po-ling(horrible,भयावह)] conditions in which the next generation of Delhi’s citizens are growing up and the lax[laks(loose,ढीला)] attitude of the government agencies responsible for ensuring the citizens’ health. What is the purpose of rampant[ram-punt(uncontrolled,अनियंत्रित)] development for a bigger economy when the next generation will not be healthy enough to enjoy the fruits of such development? Recently, the European Union instructed its diplomats based in New Delhi to install air purifiers in their residences and offices to mitigate[mi-ti,geyt(lessen,कमी)] the levels of air pollution. The U.S., Germany and Japan have even considered reducing the tenures of diplomats in New Delhi to reduce their exposure to the city’s polluted air.

Imagine a future where people stop visiting New Delhi due to its polluted condition; a future in which the rich and privileged sit with air purifiers in their houses and cars, and put on gas masks connected to oxygen cylinders when outside, while the poor and middle class are left to suffer the toxic environment.

There are a few things that must be handled today for a better tomorrow. These include pollution control and pollution checks of all factories in New Delhi and the relocation of any factory within metropolitan limits. The growing number of automobiles in the city can be reduced by increasing the taxes; using the odd and even number plate rationing system, which halves(half) the number of vehicles in the city on a daily basis; scaling up public transport projects and; strong and strict action against polluters. Parking garages can be set up at the outermost metro stations to encourage people to use the metro wherever accessible.

Immediate and strong action by the government is crucial to save the more than 1,000 babies born in New Delhi every day from the fate suffered by their predecessors.