Air Quality and Emissions in India

Air Quality Impact

• Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to air pollution in India, accounting for 12% of total emissions.
• Exposure to poor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues.
• In Delhi alone, vehicular emissions are responsible for 30% of particulate matter (PM) and 40% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions.

Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI)

• BS-VI is India's equivalent to the European Union's Euro VI norms.
• Implemented from April 2020, BS-VI sets stricter emission standards for vehicles.
• Key features:
  • 70% reduction in NOx emissions from diesel vehicles.
  • 25% reduction in particulate matter (PM) from diesel vehicles.
  • Mandatory use of on-board diagnostics (OBD) to monitor emissions.

Euro IV Standards

• Euro IV norms were previously followed in India before the implementation of BS-VI.
• Euro IV standards allowed higher emissions compared to BS-VI, with:
  • NOx emissions: 0.5 g/km (diesel) and 0.25 g/km (petrol).
  • PM emissions: 0.025 g/km (diesel) and 0.005 g/km (petrol).

Vehicle Emission Testing

• Emission testing is mandatory for all vehicles in India.
• Testing is conducted at authorized testing centers and includes:
  • Emissions check: measures CO, HC, and CO2 emissions.
  • Smoke test: measures particulate matter (PM) emissions.
• Vehicles that fail the test are required to undergo repairs and re-testing.

Emission Control Technologies

• Various technologies are used to control vehicular emissions:
  • Catalytic converters: reduce CO, HC, and NOx emissions.
  • Diesel particulate filters (DPFs): reduce PM emissions.
  • Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR): reduces NOx emissions.
  • Selective catalytic reduction (SCR): reduces NOx emissions.
• These technologies are mandatory for vehicles to meet BS-VI norms.

Air Quality Impact

• Vehicular emissions account for 12% of total emissions in India, contributing to air pollution.
• Exposure to poor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues.
• In Delhi, vehicular emissions are responsible for 30% of particulate matter (PM) and 40% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions.

Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI)

• BS-VI is India's equivalent to the European Union's Euro VI norms.
• Implemented from April 2020, BS-VI sets stricter emission standards for vehicles.
• Key features of BS-VI include:
  • 70% reduction in NOx emissions from diesel vehicles.
  • 25% reduction in particulate matter (PM) from diesel vehicles.
  • Mandatory use of on-board diagnostics (OBD) to monitor emissions.

Euro IV Standards

• Euro IV norms were previously followed in India before the implementation of BS-VI.
• Euro IV standards allowed higher emissions compared to BS-VI, with:
  • NOx emissions: 0.5 g/km (diesel) and 0.25 g/km (petrol).
  • PM emissions: 0.025 g/km (diesel) and 0.005 g/km (petrol).

Vehicle Emission Testing

• Emission testing is mandatory for all vehicles in India.
• Testing is conducted at authorized testing centers and includes:
  • Emissions check: measures CO, HC, and CO2 emissions.
  • Smoke test: measures particulate matter (PM) emissions.
• Vehicles that fail the test are required to undergo repairs and re-testing.

Emission Control Technologies

• Various technologies are used to control vehicular emissions, including:
  • Catalytic converters: reduce CO, HC, and NOx emissions.
  • Diesel particulate filters (DPFs): reduce PM emissions.
  • Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR): reduces NOx emissions.
  • Selective catalytic reduction (SCR): reduces NOx emissions.
• These technologies are mandatory for vehicles to meet BS-VI norms.

Waste Management and Swachha Bharat Abhiyan

Segregation Of Waste

• Waste segregation involves separating waste into categories: biodegradable, non-biodegradable, recyclable, and hazardous waste
• Reduces waste disposal costs, increases recycling rates, reduces environmental pollution, and helps in composting and waste-to-energy conversion

Composting

• Composting breaks down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil
• Benefits: reduces waste sent to landfills, produces nutrient-rich soil, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and lowers waste disposal costs
• Aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) composting methods

Sanitation Infrastructure

• Sanitation infrastructure refers to facilities and systems for managing waste and wastewater
• Importance: prevents environmental pollution, reduces health risks, improves public health and hygiene, and supports economic growth
• Types: toilets and latrines, sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants, waste management facilities

Public Awareness Campaigns

• Educates citizens about waste management and sanitation importance
• Objectives: promotes behavioral change, increases public participation, reduces littering and open defecation, and encourages sustainable practices
• Strategies: mass media campaigns, community outreach programs, school education programs, celebrity endorsements

Waste-to-energy Conversion

• Generates energy from waste through incineration, gasification, or anaerobic digestion
• Benefits: reduces waste disposal costs, generates electricity and heat, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports sustainable development
• Technologies: incineration, gasification, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas capture