Understanding Mumbai Air Pollution Challenges Amidst Development and Climate Shifts

• Particulate Matter: According to SAFAR, Mumbai Air Pollution PM10 level raised to 143 as against 122 in Delhi.
• Reasons for Mumbai Air Pollution: 
  • Developmental Works: The increase in PM 10 levels in the city has been attributed to development projects such as the metro, which causes dust pollution.
  • Wind Stagnancy: Due to anti-cyclonic circulation over Mumbai, the winds are not ascending, leading to accumulation of dust particles and affecting the Mumbai Air Quality.
  • Moisture: The presence of moisture in the city’s atmosphere traps dust and other PM 10 particles, thus causing deterioration of Mumbai air quality.
  • Heavy Traffic: Heavy traffic in the city limits is contributing to higher levels of pollutants in the air.
  • Climate change: Due to climate change, the pattern of natural cleansing mechanism from sea winds has been affected, leading to accumulation of dust particles.
• Consequences of Environmental Contamination: Highlighting Mumbai Air Pollution
  
  • Railway Services Hampered: Foggy weather caused by air pollution has affected Mumbai’s train services.
  • Respiratory Illness:  There has been an increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and bronchitis due to decrease in Mumbai air quality.
• Mumbai Climate: The city is also reeling under the ‘October Heat’ phenomenon with maximum temperature of 36.4 degree celsius.
• Low Pressure: A low pressure area is set to develop over Mumbai and surrounding areas, which could intensify into cyclonic depression.

Also Read: Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Report

Assessing Mumbai’s Air Quality: Understanding the National Air Quality Index (NAQI)

• National Air Quality Index is a measurement of Pollution of air in a given area. The index makes use of colour code to determine the air quality within a given area. 
  • Introduction: The Government of India introduced the National Air Quality Index in New Delhi in September 2014 as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
  • Authority: Central Pollution Control Board gives the Air Quality Index in form of National Air Quality Index (NAQI), which is a 24-hr average. 
  • Categories: Currently, AQI is given under six categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. 
  • Pollutants Considered: AQI will use PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb pollutants for determining air quality.
• Significance of National Air Quality Index
  • Pollution of Air: NAQI demarcates safer areas in terms of quality of air for people to travel.
  • Health Impacts: The NAQI identifies the potential health impact of pollutants in the air.
  • Awareness Creation: NAQI creates awareness about the importance of air quality in cities.

Impacts of Deteriorating Air Quality in Mumbai: A Closer Look at Health, Environment, and Beyond

• Breathing Problems: Continuous exposure to poor quality air can lead to development of bronchitis. It can cause cough, breathlessness, and wheezing in people.
• Chronic Diseases: Poor Mumbai air Pollution has potential to cause heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. This will reduce the lifespan of the population.
• Vulnerable Sections: The elderly, young people, and also those who venture out when the quality of the air is the worst are most likely to be affected.
• Growth of Babies: Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to poor air Pollution can hamper natural growth of babies.
  • Poor Mumbai Air Quality impact on baby: Mumbai, being one of the most populous and industrially active cities in India, often grapples with significant air pollution levels.
• Vegetation Growth: Studies have shown that poor quality of air can damage crops and trees in a variety of ways. This will affect growth of greenery and also food security.
• Water Pollution: Nitrogen oxides emitted from power plants, cars, trucks, and other sources contribute to the amount of nitrogen entering aquatic ecosystems. This causes eutrophication.
• Air Traffic: Air pollutants react with sunlight to produce haze. This haze affects visibility of aircrafts, thus disrupting their operation.

Improving Mumbai Air Quality: Comprehensive Strategies and Initiatives for Cleaner Skies

• Fogging Machines: These machines can be used to spray water in the skies, causing dust particles to settle down.
• Enhancing Mumbai Air Pollution – Covering Construction Area: The construction area can be covered to prevent dust from escaping into the atmosphere.
• Green Vehicles: Vehicles run on CNG and electricity can replace fossil fuel vehicles to prevent emission.
• Green Cover: Increasing green cover has shown to reduce PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles in the atmosphere.
• Scrubber Systems: Scrubber systems can be installed in industries to absorb harmful particles from the gasses of industrial exhaust.
• Public Transport Promotion: Authorities must promote public transport in urban areas to reduce vehicular emissions.
• Control Landfill Fires: Solid waste burning contributes to air pollution. The major reason is landfill fires, which has the potential to drastically affect Mumbai air quality.
• Farm Fire Control: Measures have been taken in areas susceptible to stubble burning. Machines such as happy seeders have been introduced to reduce incidents of stubble burning.

Monitoring Mumbai’s Air Pollution: The Role of SAFAR in Providing Real-Time Data and Forecasts

• SAFAR is an air Pollution monitoring system introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). 
• Aim: To provide location specific information on air Pollution in near real time, giving forecasts up to 3 days in India.
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, along with India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) have jointly developed SAFAR.

Conclusion:

• The air Pollution in a particular area determines pollution standards. Urgent and concerted efforts are imperative to mitigate Mumbai air quality, through a combination of robust monitoring with systems like SAFAR and implementation of comprehensive strategies, promoting green practices, and controlling industrial and vehicular emissions, ensuring a sustainable and healthier future for the city’s residents. Maintaining a low pollution level is the key for a good health of the country’s population.