{"id":125333,"date":"2024-08-08T19:45:32","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T14:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=125333"},"modified":"2024-08-09T14:34:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T09:04:27","slug":"rising-ozone-pollution-in-urban-india","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/rising-ozone-pollution-in-urban-india","title":{"rendered":"Rising Ozone Pollution in Urban India: CSE Report"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new study by <\/span><b>Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has revealed that Ground-level<\/span><b> ozone pollution is on the rise across India\u2019s major cities.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-125311 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/85-66b4ca979de4e.webp\" alt=\"Ozone\" width=\"402\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/85-66b4ca979de4e.webp 720w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/85-66b4ca979de4e-300x236.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 402px) 100vw, 402px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Ozone<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>About: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ozone is a <\/span><b>variant of oxygen composed of three oxygen atoms.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It <\/span><b>occurs both in the Earth\u2019s upper atmosphere and at ground level.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Good or Bad Ozone: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ozone can be good or bad,<\/span><b> depending on where it is found.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Stratospheric Ozone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In the stratosphere, it forms<\/span><b> a layer that protects us from the sun\u2019s ultraviolet rays<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Ground Level Ozone<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Definition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ground-level ozone is a <\/span><b>colourless and highly irritating gas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that forms near the Earth&#8217;s surface, typically within two miles above the ground.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also known as <\/span><b>surface-level ozone or<\/b> <b>tropospheric ozone.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>It is a secondary, short-lived pollutant.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.1%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Centre for Science and Environment (CSE):<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>About:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a <\/span><b>not-for-profit public interest research<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and advocacy <\/span><b>think tank<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based in <\/span><b>New Delhi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, India.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">It was established in 1980 and it focuses on researching, advocating, and communicating the need for sustainable and equitable development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">In 2018 the CSE was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Formation Process:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The formation involves Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide from sources like vehicles, power plants, and factories.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reaction Mechanism:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ground-level or tropospheric ozone is created by chemical reactions between NOx gases (oxides of nitrogen produced by combustion) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The combination of these chemicals in the presence of sunlight form ozone.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Key Findings of the Report<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>High Ozone Exceedances:<\/b> <b>All areas studied witnessed exceedances of the national ozone standard,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Delhi being the most affected.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smaller cities like Ahmedabad and Pune are experiencing a particularly rapid increase in ozone pollution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Night-Time Exceedances:<\/b> <b>Elevated ozone levels were observed even at night<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with Mumbai recording the most instances.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The average duration of ozone exposure lasting 12-15 hours across most cities is concerning<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ozone Exposure in Different Neighbourhoods<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>High-End and Green Neighbourhoods:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Despite having lower levels of other pollutants, <\/span><b>these areas are ironically more susceptible to ozone build-up.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Seasonal and Year-Round Issues:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While <\/span><b>summer is the peak season for ozone<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the problem continues <\/span><b>throughout the year in many areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in sunnier southern cities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Health Impacts<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Vulnerable Groups:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> High ozone levels pose serious risks to individuals with <\/span><b>respiratory conditions, children, and older adults.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Health Issues:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Can cause<\/span><b> airway inflammation, exacerbate asthma, chronic bronchitis, and increase hospitalizations.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>National Air Quality Standards for Ozone<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Short-Term Exposure Standards: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given its highly toxic nature, the national ambient air quality standard for ozone is <\/span><b>established only for short-term exposures,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> measured as one-hour and eight-hour averages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Compliance Measurement: Compliance is assessed by counting the number of days that exceed these short-term standards.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Need for Early Action: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers emphasise the importance of <\/span><b>taking early action to address ozone exposure.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Other Recommendations<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Need for Stringent Regulations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Urgent action is needed to<\/span><b> curb NOx emissions from vehicles, industries, and other sources.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Multi-Pollutant Approach: National Clean Air Programme\u2019s reform agenda <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has to <\/span><b>address <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the multi-pollutant crisis and the combined threat from PM2.5, <\/span><b>ozone,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> nitrogen oxides and other gases.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The programme currently <\/span><b>focuses more on controlling PM10 or coarse dust.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Local and Regional Actions:<\/b> <b>Ozone\u2019s ability to travel long distances necessitates both local and regional efforts to combat this pollutant.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Challenges and Data Gaps need to be addressed: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At present, Current monitoring and data analysis methods are inadequate for tracking and mitigating ozone pollution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Efforts to Check the Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Montreal Protocol: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a landmark multilateral environmental agreement designed to <\/span><b>regulate the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS) mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Adoption Date:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Protocol was <\/span><b>adopted on 16 September 1987.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Universal Ratification:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is the <\/span><b>sole UN treaty universally ratified by all 197 member states<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, aiming to safeguard the Earth\u2019s ozone layer by phasing out the use of ozone-depleting substances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Substances controlled by the treaty:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The substances controlled by the treaty are listed in <\/span><b>Annexes A (CFCs, halons), B (other fully halogenated CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform), C (HCFCs), E (methyl bromide), and F (HFCs).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>India as a party since 1992<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has successfully implemented the Montreal Protocol for phasing out Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Kigali Amendment to the Protocol: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adopted in 2016, the Kigali Amendment aims to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2016, <\/span><b>countries agreed to include HFCs in the list of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol and decided on a schedule for its phase-down.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before the middle of this century, current HFC use has to be curtailed by at least 85 percent. India has to achieve this target by 2047 while the developed countries have to do it by 2036.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Air Quality Index (AQI) in India:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Definition: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a <\/span><b>numerical scale used to communicate the quality of the air and its potential impact on health.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Components:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It covers<\/span><b> eight pollutants under its ambit: PM10, PM2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3), and Lead (Pb),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for which short term (up to 24 hours) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are established.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Scale:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The AQI typically ranges<\/span><b> from 0 to 500<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with higher values indicating worse air quality and increased health risks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Categories: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <\/span><b>six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Purpose:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It helps individuals understand the air quality in their area and take appropriate actions to protect their health, especially those in sensitive groups<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 99.9322%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 137.854%; 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