Heat wave leads to deadly ozone pollution in Delhi: CSE analysis

Rising NOx levels and volatile gases in the air, primarily from vehicles, form the recipe for ozone

 
Published: Monday 09 June 2014

Delhi has witnessed significant ozone build-up this summer, shows a latest analysis done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). A study of the real-time air quality data available from the key monitoring locations of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for the period January to early June 2014, shows rapid build-up of ozone and more frequent violation of standards this summer. CSE experts say warmer temperatures and the extreme heat waves are threatening to increase the frequency of days with unhealthy levels of ozone–with serious public health consequences.
 
Blog
Current policies on containing air pollution, particularly in cities, are regressive and border on the criminal
Author: Sunita Narain
Our health is not on anybody's agenda. Or, we just don't seem to make the connections between the growing burden of disease and the deteriorating condition of our environment. We don't really believe the science, which tells us each passing day how toxins affect our bodies, leading to high rates of both morbidity and mortality. It is true that it is difficult to establish cause and effect, but we know more than enough to say that air pollution is today a leading cause of both disease and death in India and other parts of South Asia.
 
Factsheet
Ozone build up during the heat wave that struck Delhi in the first week of June
Delhi has recorded significant ozone build-up this summer with ozone levels exceeding the permissible limit frequently. The Centre for Science and Environment has analysed the real time 8 hourly average data of ozone available from monitoring stations of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee located in R K Puram, Civil Lines, Punjabi Bagh, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Mandir Marg from 1st January to 6th June 2014. However, continuous data was not available for IGI airport and Civil Lines due to website maintenance. For Mandir Marg data for March, April and May have been considered. A special spotlight was also put on ozone build up during the heat wave that lashed Delhi in the first week of June.
 
Find out how much money you can save by using the right thermostat setting for your air-conditioner
Author:
Everyone loves the cool breeze of air-conditioners (ACs). But at what temperature are we really comfortable? Is it 18°C? In that case are we cooling ourselves or refrigerating our bodies? The National Building Code puts the desirable indoor temperature during summers at 27.5°C. What if we keep the thermostat at 27°C for this summer? Use this calculator to find out how much money you are wasting by not doing so?
 
From India Environment Portal
 
  Report |  State of the climate 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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