An IIT-Bombay professor has debunked the myth that industrial effluents are the chief cause of air pollution.
Environment science professor Virendra Sethi, in his paper 'Air Quality: Status and Management' cites pollution generated from homes and vehicles as an equally worrisome factor.
What the research reveals
Citing his research work in Chandrapur district of the state, Sethi told the Indian Science Congress, "Chandrapur was the fourth most polluted city in the state, and despite all efforts to curb industrial pollution, in three years it became the second most polluted city. Our survey found that a large number of households are using coal as fuel since it is being collected illegally from the trucks which go to the Chandrapur thermal power station. The coal chulha pours huge amounts of polluted air in the area."
What makes houses a source of pollution
The IIT-B study found air quality to be poor even when the thermal power station - mainly thought to contribute to pollution - was shut during April-June. "As compared to the thermal plant, only 0.1% coal is being used in homes, but the release of hazardous smoke is very high compared to the plant, which has systems to restrict the pollution."
Additional factors that contaminate air
Sethi also pointed to vehicular growth and poor road conditions as factors for pollution. He said the government must look into these aspects, besides nailing industries that don't follow environmental norms.
Domestic units generate 70% sewage too
Environment consultant Deepak Kantawala also highlighted that 70% of sewage in India comes from domestic sources and involves a huge amount of water waste.
"Out of 150 litre of water supplied to each citizen, 120 litre goes into sewage, which is a misuse of both water and resources. We must look at the dry toilets developed by DRDO, instead of the flushing ones, besides trying out decentralized treatment plants using bio-cultures and solar power to reduce the sewage collection and transport cost, which takes up 70% of the sewage treatment budget."
Sewage also affects water bodies
Scientists also said that due to insufficient resources, over 24,000 MLD (million liters a day) of untreated water is dumped into water bodies every year, which is worsening the quality of water in the country by the day.
Scientists also urged the government to use the satellite to monitor the air quality rather than establishing the costly monitoring systems at every place. "Satellites, especially the geostationary PSLV launched recently, are automated and give a correct comparative picture of air pollution across cities, urban areas or regions," said professor Sethi.
