WORST AIR POLLUTION - HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THEM?

I. Introduction
II. Why do these 10 cities have the worst pollution in the world?
1) Delhi
2) Patna
3) Gwalior
4) Raipur
5) Karachi
6) Peshawar
7) Rawalpindi
8) Khorramabad
9) Ahmedabad
10)Locknow
III. Solution on how the government or even groups or individuals can provide
for this problem.
IV. Conclusion

GROUP 1 Member:
● Runez, Roscoe
● Barongan, Krizelle Mae
● Bolwa, Naomi Isobel
● Castro, Allysa Marie
● Suyat, Sherlyne Joy
● Toralba, Glaiza Joy
INTRODUCTION

According to the “World Health Organization (WHO),” Air pollution refers to

the release of pollutants into the air—pollutants which are detrimental to human
health and the planet as a whole. (“Air Pollution Facts, Causes and the Effects of
Pollutants in the Air”)
Work Cited:
“Air Pollution Facts, Causes and the Effects of Pollutants in the Air.” NRDC, 1
November 2016,
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know.
Accessed 19 March 2023.

The indirect impacts of pollution on human behavior pose a severe risk to

society as a whole. Air pollution is the most prevalent and deadly kind of pollution in
the world, and is responsible for infections, health issues, and death. The fact is that
more people are living in cities around the world, which has increased the production
of hazardous chemicals and the discharge of toxic gasses into the atmosphere, land,
and water. Airborne contaminants have been released, some of which are salutary to
humans, but will be dangerous to humans but will benefit from other life forms,
leading to the elaboration of a different-looking earth.

Air pollution is a major environmental problem caused by dangerous chemicals

and substances of natural or synthetic origin in the air, which can endanger health and
cause harm to people and animals. It is mainly caused by human endeavors such as
mineral extraction, public transit, fabrication, manufacturing works, agricultural
production, pyrometallurgical, etc. It can also be characterized as a gas and solid or
liquid that has been dispersed through the atmosphere and released in sufficient
amounts to harm the health of people or other animals.

For Instance, Less developed nations often experience higher levels of air
pollution due to population density, industrial facilities, and vehicle emissions, as well
as a lack of funds to invest in sustainable land and renewable energy sources, and
educational tools. Despite efforts to reduce pollution, several global agreements have
been attained, but less developed nations are still struggling to monitor, control, and
mitigate air pollution. Indeed, air pollution places a severe health burden on the
Philippines. As smoke has been a factor in many Filipino activities, eliminating air
pollution is difficult. Nonetheless, we can all agree that the majority of bad air
pollution in the Philippines comes from large to small factories. The shutdown of
factories that contribute to air pollution in the Philippines should be done to prevent
it from continuing to harm Filipinos' health. In addition, the Filipino people's careless
actions and rash decisions will keep the environment, particularly its ozone layer,
from being protected from the damaging effects of pollution. According to “The
importance of air pollution in the Philippines”.

Considering all this, air pollution is a problem that affects everyone, including
the ten cities with the worst air pollution mentioned above.. regardless of how
developed a country is. This is since its sources include universal vehicles, factories,
homes, raising livestock, tips, and scenery. The ultimate goal would be to prevent
possible measures of pollution generation through self-discipline and concern for
others, as well as raising awareness about the negative impact that air pollution has.
 WHY DO THESE 10 CITIES HAVE THE WORST POLLUTION IN THE WORLD

1. Delhi

As of January 07, 2023, Delhi's air quality index is in a severe category, and the
concentration of PM 2.5 is spiking to emergency levels.
According to research by Arpan Chatterji, 2020 "Air Pollution in Delhi: Filling the
Policy Gaps," the primary sources of air pollution include vehicle exhaust, heavy
industry such as power generation, small-scale industries like brick kilns, suspended
dust on the roads due to vehicle movement and construction activities and a lot more
air pollution contributing factors.

The first contributing factor is crop burning. The land territory of Delhi is widely used
for growing wheat and rice, and crop burning occur for usually about 10.5 million
hectares that produce 48 million tonnes of straw a year, and 39 million tonnes are
burnt. This predisposes in coinciding with falling temperatures and slow wind speeds
-- meteorological conditions that can lead to temperature inversions that trap smoke
in the place.

Aside from that and second, Delhi has the most small-scale industry clusters in India.
According to CPCB assessments, the national capital is home to and surrounded by
highly polluting industrial groups that do not fulfill air, water, or soil emissions
restrictions, resulting in air pollution.

Third, Delhi had 10.9 million vehicles in March 2018, including over 7 million
two-wheelers. In Delhi, the transportation sector is the primary source of PM2.5
emissions (28 percent of all PM2.5 emissions). The contribution of vehicles accounts
 for 80 percent of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide in Delhi's air. According to data
on vehicular pollution in Delhi, trucks and tractors account for 9% of emissions, while
two-wheelers account for 7%, three-wheelers account for 5%, automobiles, and buses
account for 3%, and light commercial vehicles account for 1%. These cars account for
41% of Delhi's total pollution burden.

And lastly, pollutant levels at construction sites are high, and they can travel large
distances over time; this is true for the Delhi NCR. Fine dust from building
construction contributes significantly to the hazardous mixture known as smog.
According to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) officials, dust from
construction projects accounts for 30% of the territory's air pollution.

2. Patna

Patna is the capital of Bihar, and a paper by Bihar State Pollution Control
Board, "Action Plan For Control Of Air Pollution In the Non-Attainment City of
Bihar(Patna)," stated that the major sources of air pollution in Patna are road dust,
vehicular, domestic fuel burning, open waste burning, construction activities, etc.
Particulate Matter (PM10 & PM2.5) has been classified as the primary air
contaminant since it exceeds national requirements. This is mostly due to the
resuspension of road dust, car emissions, and D.G. sets, construction operations,
burning of domestic fossil fuels, open burning of solid wastes, transportation of
construction materials such as sand, soil, etc. without covering, and emissions from
brick kilns in the Patna area. NO2 levels have also been found to be worrying. This is
mostly due to automotive pollution. Increased NO2 levels are caused by the use of
older automobiles and traffic congestion. It has been noted that Patna's air quality
 gets particularly poor and severe during the winter season due to the condensation of
tiny particulate matter in the lower sections of the atmosphere.

3. Gwalior

Gwalior, a once royal state, is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. A study
by Narwaria, Chandramauli, and Bahuguna, 2017 "Air Pollution in Gwalior Area and Its
Impacts On Human's Health" asserts that all anthropogenic (man-made) discharges
into the atmosphere are considered air pollution since they affect the chemical
makeup of the natural environment. The problem of rising air pollution in Gwalior has
reached alarming proportions, and factors such as reliance on fossil fuels, private
motor vehicles for transportation, inefficient energy use in buildings, and use of
biomass for food preparation and heating are thought to have contributed to this
alarming rise in pollution levels. Furthermore, large numbers of industrial districts
continue to sprout up around the city, varied in size and material output but all
contributing significantly to pollution. Aside from the use of coal, diesel, and other
fuels to power their construction equipment, these factories or industrial sites can
also emit their distinct sort of industrial effluent depending on what is produced,
resulting in a plethora of chemicals and particulate matter entering the environment.

4. Raipur
 Raipur is the capital of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, and it was recorded last 2011
over 1 million people were estimated population in the metropolitan area in 2011. It
was also known as the "rice bowl of India" as rice varieties were grown by the people.
The current PM2.5 concentration in Raipur is 1.7 times above the recommended limit
given by the WHO 25 hours air quality guidelines value as of March 18, 2023.
The burning of residential and business biomass, wind-blown mineral dust, the
combustion of coal for electricity production, industrial emissions, and agricultural
waste burning are the principal causes of ambient particulate matter pollution. There
are construction sites, brick furnaces, traffic pollution, and diesel generators.
Domestic pollution is caused by solid fuels such as dried animal dung, agricultural
burning, stone crushing, and charcoal manufacturing.
These contaminants frequently react with hydrocarbons generated from numerous
sources as a result of intense sunshine. The end effect is extremely harmful
ground-level ozone (O3).
In addition, almost every country would love to have or become a developed country.
Raipur has had tremendous industrial development for 20 years. To generate
electricity, the burning of tons of coal is necessary every day, and this predisposes
carbon and ash to pollute the industry in wide-range areas. This entire city was
contaminated by ash as a consequence of such action.

5. Karachi
 Karachi is a city in Pakistan that is one of the largest in the country and the
12th largest city in the world, with about 15 million people living within its borders.
The air in Karachi continues to be unhealthy, as per the air quality index. Every year,
the variety and severity of pollution increase due to an increase in the number of
vehicles and a decrease in the number of trees. In cities like Karachi, air pollution
reaches extremely deadly levels. The cause for this is the presence of PM2.5 and PM10
particles in the air.
According to the investigation, air pollution in Karachi encompasses solid and
liquid particles, as well as some gasses. The largest pollutants are transportation and
industrial emissions, followed by waste burning, emissions from freezers, generators,
dust flying, and stoves used in homes and hotels. Furthermore, all types of forests,
including mangroves along Sindh's coastline, which used to help absorb carbon dioxide
and purify the air in Karachi, have been chopped to an alarming extent. Karachi
currently has 50,000 hectares of mangrove forest cover. Karachi has lost 10,000
hectares of mangrove forest over the previous 50 years owing to encroachment,
commercialization, and infrastructural development.
In addition, Winds from the northwest and northeast of Balochistan further add
to the air pollution in Karachi. The winds blowing from the northeast increase
concentration of polluted particles, and a healthy atmosphere in such a situation is
subject to rainfall, which washes off polluted particles.

6. Peshawar
 Peshawar is a city located in Pakistan, being the 6th largest in the country as
well as having a settlement history dating back to 539 BCE or earlier. Peshawar was
observed with a PM2.5 value of 63.9 g/m3, placing it squarely in the 'unhealthy' rating
bracket, a classification that, as the name implies, is harmful to individuals who
breathe the air of this quality. The main sources of air pollution in Peshawar are
vehicle emissions and fumes, with many cars, motorcycles, and rickshaws on the
roads, as well as heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and lorries, many of which run on
diesel fuels, or fuels of significantly lower quality than is seen on an international
level, emitting far more noxious chemicals.
Others include emissions from factories and other industrial sites, as well as
brick kilns, which are a widespread problem throughout the country, with filthy
materials frequently used to fuel these kilns, emitting enormous amounts of smoke
and fine particulate matter. Additional relevant sources include crop burning and
other open burn sites dedicated to the disposal of rubbish and other refuse. Poorly
maintained roads and building sites also contribute significantly to fine particulate
matter levels. These are the several causes of pollution noticed in Peshawar.

7. Rawalpindi
 Rawalpindi is a Pakistani city in the Punjab province. It is known locally as Pindi
and is considered a twin city to Islamabad due to its strong social and economic ties.
According to 2019 figures, Rawalpindi has a PM2.5 average of 40.8 g/m3, putting it in
the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category.
Rawalpindi's pollution is caused by the same sources as other cities in Pakistan.
They include the hazard of automotive pollution, which is exacerbated by the large
number of automobiles and motorcycles on the roads, transporting people on their
daily commutes as well as in and out of the city. The trucks, buses, and lorries, many
of which are powered by older engines and use lower quality fuels or diesel, produce
significantly more pollution than a newer model powered by a cleaner fuel. Other
sources of pollution include emissions from factories and industrial areas, some of
which are unique to the region, such as the numerous brick kilns, which are powered
by low-quality and dirty fuels like raw coal or other forms of biomass like wood, dead
plant matter, or even dung, all of which emit a potent combination of pollution when
burned.

8. Khorramabad
 Khorramabad is a city and the capital of Lorestan Province, Iran. The levels of
the two pollutants were PM2.5 - 13.5 µg/m³ and carbon monoxide (CO) - 5386.2
µg/m³. With a level such as this, the advice is to close doors and windows to prevent
more dirty air from entering the room. It is believed the cause of air pollution in this
city is the worn-out public transportation system in Khorramabad and the unlimited
use of this system by the people is effective in increasing particulate matter. The
Khorramabad transportation network started to use worn-out vehicles which have
abnormally high emissions because of their poor state of repair and their old age.
Furthermore, it was suggested that air pollution in Khorramabad was increasing as a
result of continuous dust storms, particularly in recent years.
9. Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, located in western India, is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. As far
as Ahmedabad is concerned, it has recorded increasing levels of Sulphur Dioxide since
2018. The same trend applies to Nitrogen Dioxide, which increased in 2016 and 2017
but remained at a constant level in 2018.
 This is primarily due to the re-suspension of road dust, vehicle emissions,
construction operations, burning of household fossil fuels, open burning of solid
wastes, movement of construction materials such as sand, soil, and so on without
covering, and pollution from brick kilns located around Ahmedabad. The burning of
rubbish and garbage at the Pirana dumping yard 24/7 also contributes to the dirty air
as does the ceremonial burning of items of a religious nature.
NO2 levels have also been found to be concerning. This is primarily due to
automotive pollution. The use of aging automobiles and traffic congestion causes
increased NO2 levels. It has been noted that the air quality in Ahmedabad during the
winter season gets poor and severe due to the condensation of fine particulate matter
in the lower sections of the atmosphere.

10. Lucknow

Lucknow is the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, which is located in northern

India. It is home to approximately three and a half million people, making it
exceptionally densely populated. The city's pollution levels are among the worst in
the world, with year-round PM2.5 concentrations that have significant health
repercussions for its residents to breathe. There would be several polluting sources in
Lucknow. Pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) would be
found in high concentrations throughout the city, particularly in high-traffic regions
and in industrial sectors.
The diverse range of motorcycles, vehicles, trucks, and buses on the road
would all emit significant volumes of nitrogen dioxide, particularly those powered by
diesel fuel. This type of fuel also contains higher quantities of sulfur, which
contributes to acid rain. Open-burning sources would also contribute to this, with vast
volumes of waste and refuse set ablaze, even though this is forbidden. Although this is
not as common in current times, it is still practiced, particularly in impoverished
regions of the city where residents do not have access to appropriate waste
collection.
SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEMS

Air pollution is still a major worldwide problem. Clean atmospheric air has become
contaminated with chemicals and contaminants that are hazardous to both humans
and the environment. The impact of air pollution may be clearly observed in the
aforementioned countries that have the highest levels of pollution in the world, as
well as the factors that generate the pollution. This should be addressed in order to
minimize the impact and preserve breathable air for the next generation. For a
successful solution everyone must take part in taking action and it can be done by
organizations, the government and individually.

Governments must play an important role in developing laws and regulations. One
of the most successful strategies is the implementation and enforcement of laws that
limit emissions from cars and other accessible sources. We may use public
transportation to reduce the number of private automobiles on the road, lowering the
overall number of vehicles that contribute to pollution. We may also ride our bikes,
stroll, or commute to our destination.

Based on the top ten polluted nations in the world, the biggest source of air
pollution is the usage of millions of vehicles, the most of which are outdated
automobiles. Vehicle emissions, according to the United Nations Environmental
Program 2021, are a substantial source of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides,
both of which are important contributors of urban air pollution. Apart from that,
driving older automobiles adds more to air pollution since they release more carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and CO2 per mile. That being said, the government should
monitor the use of phased out or older automobiles and impose years of control over
their utilization.

Furthermore, we as individuals may assist to minimize air pollution by decreasing

our reliance on automobiles. We should rely more on bicycles and walking to help
reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. That is one of the most beneficial things
we can do. Reduced pollution in the air is critical for both human health and the
ecosystem. When air quality is inadequate, it has a significant influence on human
health, particularly in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It may also be
hazardous to plants and other structures, and it may produce smoke, making visibility
difficult.

When it comes to crops and waste burning, we may provide solutions such as
compost biodegradable wastes, recycling, and reusing, which is one of the most
successful techniques to address the issue of open burning since people are burning
their domestic garbage in addition to crop or farm waste. While garbage incinerators
emit significantly less pollutants than landfills, they are still responsible for a
significant quantity of pollution. It is exceedingly dangerous to burn inorganic garbage
in the open air with uncontrolled flames. It is probable that it will emit a number of
dangerous substances, resulting in air pollution.

Building structures has been one of the ways to respond to the rising population
and the fast-paced environment where large buildings are required. However,
construction contributes also to air pollution. According to an article published by
Conserve Energy Future 2023, building sites are responsible for the production of PM
2.5 and PM 10, which account for approximately 14.5% and 8% of the total amount of
particles in the air, respectively. The majority of these originate from diesel-powered
construction machines and generators, with about 1% originating from demolition site
dust.People must manage this by utilizing water sprays to control dust on the job site,
tarpaulins to cover stock piles, use low sulfur diesel to power equipment, and never
burn waste products that contribute to the emission of carbon monoxide into the
atmosphere.

Environmental organizations can also contribute to mitigate the consequences of air

pollution by taking the lead in tree planting. Trees serve a critical part in maintaining
clean air in the environment. Each tree absorbs carbon monoxide and other hazardous
chemicals, which can contribute to air pollution. Having organizations that have this
role in the community would greatly help in combating air pollution.

Contributing to air pollution can’t be avoided and it takes much effort from the
government and individuals to take the responsibility in lessening the air pollution.

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ageing-cars-are-bogging-down-battle-a
gainst-climate-change#:~:text=Vehicle%20emissions%20are%20also%20a,features%2C%2
0such%20as%20air%20filters.

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/how-reduce-air-pollution-construction-site.
php
CONCLUSION

A serious environmental issue that has an impact on both human health and
the ecosystem is air pollution. It results from a variety of human activities, including
energy production, industrial processes, and transportation. In addition to harming
crops, forests, and other natural resources, air pollution can also result in heart
disease, lung problems, and other health concerns. Many different strategies have
been put up and put into practice to reduce air pollution. Using greener technologies,
such as electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and energy-efficient buildings, is
one way to reduce emissions. Another strategy is to control emissions by enacting
laws and regulations that restrict the amount of pollution that businesses and
individuals are allowed to emit. Individual activities, such as minimizing the use of
personal vehicles, taking the bus, walking, or cycling, can also help to reduce air
pollution. Air pollution can be decreased by using less energy at home or at work,
disposing of garbage appropriately, and avoiding the burning of trash, leaves, or other
items.
In conclusion, air pollution is a serious issue that calls for group efforts to
solve. For the sake of both human health and the environment, we can cut emissions
and enhance air quality by using cleaner technology, legislation, and individual
efforts.
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Correspondent, H. (2019, March 6). Lucknow ranked ninth most polluted city in the
world, says report. Hindustan Times.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/lucknow-ranked-ninth-most-pollute
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