NEW DELHI: Improving air quality in India is a long-term endeavor that requires sustained efforts, according to Richard Peltier, a senior US scientist and member of the World Health Organization’s Global Air Pollution and Health Technical Advisory Group. In an interview with PTI, Peltier emphasized the need for a marathon-like approach, citing the example of the United States, which took 50 to 60 years to achieve generally good air quality after implementing the Clean Air Act in the 1960s.
Peltier dismissed cost-intensive technologies like smog towers and cloud seeding as unsustainable solutions to India’s pollution problem.Regarding smog towers, he acknowledged their effectiveness on a small scale but deemed them impractical for entire cities due to cost and maintenance challenges. He compared it to “trying to dry up a big mighty river with a bath towel.” Additionally, Peltier expressed reservations about cloud seeding technology, highlighting its lack of sustainability and long-term viability.
Addressing the severity of air pollution in India, Peltier pointed out the limitations in precision due to a shortage of air pollution monitors, especially in major city areas. While acknowledging the overall understanding that air pollution is a significant issue in India, he stressed the importance of more monitors for greater confidence in assessing the problem.
Peltier asserted that air pollution is not just a meteorological problem but also a governance issue. While meteorology can exacerbate pollution in specific areas, he emphasized the need to control emission sources, identifying and regulating them to improve air quality.
According to Greenpeace India, over 99% of the country’s population breathes air exceeding WHO standards for PM2.5. A report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago highlighted the significant impact of air pollution on life expectancy in India, particularly in Delhi.
Peltier also emphasized the clear link between high air pollution levels and higher mortality rates, particularly in cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite the challenges in conveying this connection to individuals, he underscored the scientific community’s consensus on the relationship between increased air pollution and higher mortality rates.
Peltier dismissed cost-intensive technologies like smog towers and cloud seeding as unsustainable solutions to India’s pollution problem.Regarding smog towers, he acknowledged their effectiveness on a small scale but deemed them impractical for entire cities due to cost and maintenance challenges. He compared it to “trying to dry up a big mighty river with a bath towel.” Additionally, Peltier expressed reservations about cloud seeding technology, highlighting its lack of sustainability and long-term viability.
Addressing the severity of air pollution in India, Peltier pointed out the limitations in precision due to a shortage of air pollution monitors, especially in major city areas. While acknowledging the overall understanding that air pollution is a significant issue in India, he stressed the importance of more monitors for greater confidence in assessing the problem.
Peltier asserted that air pollution is not just a meteorological problem but also a governance issue. While meteorology can exacerbate pollution in specific areas, he emphasized the need to control emission sources, identifying and regulating them to improve air quality.
According to Greenpeace India, over 99% of the country’s population breathes air exceeding WHO standards for PM2.5. A report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago highlighted the significant impact of air pollution on life expectancy in India, particularly in Delhi.
Peltier also emphasized the clear link between high air pollution levels and higher mortality rates, particularly in cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite the challenges in conveying this connection to individuals, he underscored the scientific community’s consensus on the relationship between increased air pollution and higher mortality rates.
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