Pictures of Delhi, India with pollution and without pollution
I hope none of us has taken the above meme lightly as this is a serious environmental problem that is happening.
According to the World Air Quality Index project which provides real-time updates of the air quality of more than 130 countries, it shows that both China and India are ranked top 5 with an Air Quality Index(AQI) of 168 and 185 respectively. (updated on 18/8/2020, 1.50pm). Both countries’ air quality is considered unhealthy according to the Air Quality and Pollution Measurement.
So what is causing this high AQI in China and India?
In China, the high AQI is predominantly due to the burning of coal (Kan, Chen & Hong, 2009). As there is an increase in vehicles moving on the road and more factories being built, the burning of fossil fuel and the release of harmful pollutants has risen. Health risk in China is higher than in other developed countries as China’s population is more than 25% of the World’s population (Kan, Chen & Hong, 2009) and thus it is of utmost importance to lower the AQI and monitor air quality levels.
As a developing country and a country with more than 1 billion people, similar reasons apply to India. The high amount of traffic and population requires more fossil fuel to be burnt. In addition to the risk of outdoor pollution, women and children in India are exposed to indoor pollution due to the burning of firewood when they cook (TNN, 2020). It is no wonder China and India have high AQI.
The high AQI readings are daunting as people’s health is put at risk everyday. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 7 million people die because of outdoor air pollution. In my opinion, we have to take this seriously and this calls for some action, not only from governments and organizations but individuals as well. You never know, the person you loved or even you yourself will be a victim of air pollution.
Your environmental buddy,
Jeanice
References:
CNN. (2020). Coronavirus lockdown is having a dramatic impact on India’s air pollution [Online Image]. Retrieved from https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/coronavirus-lockdown-is-having-a-dramatic-impact-on-indias-air-pollution-c-947259
India Population (LIVE). Worldometer.
Retrieved from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/india-population/.
Kan, H., Chen, B., & Hong, C. (2009). Health impact of outdoor air pollution in China: current knowledge and future research needs. Environmental health perspectives, 117(5), A187. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.12737
The World Air Quality Index Project. “Air Quality Index Scale and Color Legend.”
Retrieved from https://aqicn.org/scale/
TNN / May 2, 2020. Indoor pollution from firewood poses higher Covid risk: Researchers: Chennai News – Times of India.
Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/indoor-pollution-from-firewood-poses-higher-covid-risk-researchers/articleshow/75498275.cms.
World Health Organisation (2020). Air Pollution.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1