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Air Pollution and Dementia
Long-Term Air Pollution Exposure Significantly Increases Dementia Risk
Context: A landmark study published in The Lancet Planetary Health by researchers at Cambridge University has revealed a statistically significant link between long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of dementia.
What Are the Reasons Behind the Increased Instances of Air Pollution in India?
- Vehicular Emissions: India’s expanding urban population has led to a massive rise in private vehicle ownership, contributing significantly to PM2.5 and NO₂ emissions.
- As per the Down To Earth report, vehicles contribute to 40% of PM2.5 emissions and more than 80% of nitrogen oxides emissions.
- Coal-Based Thermal Power Plants: These remain the backbone of India’s energy sector and are major contributors to SO₂, NO₂, and PM emissions.
- According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), coal-based thermal power plants contribute air pollution around 250 times that of stubble burning, which is a seasonal event.
- Construction Activities & Road Dust: Unregulated construction, especially in Tier-1 cities, along with a lack of dust control measures, worsens air quality.
- Crop Residue Burning: Seasonal stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana leads to toxic smog in Northern India, particularly in winter.
- Industrial Pollution: Small-scale industries often bypass emission norms, adding unchecked pollutants to urban air. Apart from this, the process of incineration and burning of gases and releasing them into the atmosphere has resulted in breathing problems in the nearby regions.
- As per different reports, stalling the installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) is going to worsen the local climatic conditions and health profile of individuals residing around the industrial plants.
- Use of Solid Fuels: In rural areas and urban slums, the burning of wood, dung cakes, and biomass for cooking continues to release particulate matter.
What Is the Impact of Exposure to Air Pollution?
- Neurological Disorders: The Cambridge study found that every 10 µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 exposure raises dementia risk by 17%. Soot exposure increases risk by 13% per µg/m³.
- Respiratory Illnesses: Asthma, bronchitis, and COPD are common in polluted urban centres.
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Pollutants like PM2.5 and NO₂ contribute to heart attacks and strokes.
- Adverse Birth Outcomes: Studies link pollution to low birth weight and preterm births. PM2.5 are fine particles that can enter the bloodstream, posing serious pregnancy risks by impairing fetal growth and oxygen supply.
- Economic Burden: Healthcare costs and productivity losses due to pollution-related illnesses exceed ₹2.7 lakh crore annually.
What Initiatives Have Been Taken to Curb Air Pollution in India?
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP, 2019): Target 40% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 by 2026 in 131 non-attainment cities. Focuses on source identification, urban planning, and public transport enhancement.
- Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME I & II): Promotes EV transition, reducing vehicular emissions.
- Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) Emission Norms: Rolled out in April 2020 to reduce sulphur content in fuels and improve engine efficiency.
- FGD Installation Mandate: In 2015, India mandated all coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) to install flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) units, with deadlines extended to 2027–2029 based on a 2021 categorisation to remove sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from flue gases.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): A dynamic framework implemented in Delhi NCR, enforcing action based on air quality levels.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Provided clean cooking LPG connections to over 10 crore households, reducing indoor air pollution.
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): A statutory body for the Delhi-NCR region, integrating policy coordination across states.
What Are the Key Takeaways from the Best Practices Adopted Internationally?
- London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): Charges polluting vehicles; has significantly improved city air quality.
- Paris’s Car-Free Days & Promotion of Cycling: Urban planning that prioritises pedestrians and non-motorised transport.
- Beijing’s electric vehicle (EV) incentives have contributed to a significant drop in PM2.5 levels. Policies such as subsidies, license plate privileges for EVs, and expanded charging infrastructure led to a sharp increase in EV adoption.
- United States Clean Air Act: It authorises the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for harmful pollutants and mandates that states develop implementation plans.
- South Korea’s Real-Time Pollution Alerts & Public Transport Incentives: Encourages behavioural change through tech-based policy interventions. Platforms like Airkorea provide up-to-date air quality information, enabling citizens to adjust their daily activities accordingly.
