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Feb 13, 2025: How breathable is the air at Delhi’s iconic India Gate?

For episode 26 of Aaj Ka AQI, Newslaundry visited India Gate to take stock of the Capital’s air quality. The AQI reading at the nearest station was in the ‘moderate’ category. PM 2.5 level hovered around 50, while the air detector pegged PM 10 at around 58. In 2024, Delhi witnessed 155 days of ‘poor’, ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ air quality. A detailed analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment, released on January 6, revealed that the concentration of fine particulate matter, one of the most harmful pollutants, increased by 3.4 percent in Delhi in 2024 compared to 2023. But do the authorities plan to take some action and stop the city from becoming a gas chamber ?

Polluted air kills 7.0m people prematurely every year

Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world - about 99% of the global population - is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Polluted air, laden with noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the U.N. health agency estimates. And for the millions living in some of the world's smoggiest cities - many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok; and Jakarta, Indonesia - bad air might seem inescapable. But there are things that people can do, starting with understanding that the air isn't only polluted when it looks smoggy, said Tanushree Ganguly of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India. "Blue skies can't guarantee you clean air," she said. What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes; or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these - known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter - can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO. Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of air pollution varies in different cities and seasons. For instance, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to bad air in Indonesian capital Jakarta while burning of agricultural waste is a major reason for air pollution spikes in cities in Thailand and India. Brick kilns that burn coal adds to pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. And seasonal forest fires cause problems in Brazil and North America.

Nearly everyone in the world breathes polluted air

Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world — about 99% of the global population — is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Polluted air, laden with noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the U.N. health agency estimates. And for the millions living in some of the world’s smoggiest cities — many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok; and Jakarta, Indonesia — bad air might seem inescapable. But there are things that people can do, starting with understanding that the air isn’t only polluted when it looks smoggy, said Tanushree Ganguly of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India. “Blue skies can’t guarantee you clean air,” she said. What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes; or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these — known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter — can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO. Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of air pollution varies in different cities and seasons. For instance, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to bad air in Indonesian capital Jakarta while burning of agricultural waste is a major reason for air pollution spikes in cities in Thailand and India. Brick kilns that burn coal adds to pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. And seasonal forest fires cause problems in Brazil and North America. What health problems can air pollution cause? Air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for early death globally, behind high blood pressure, according to a recent report by the Health Effects Institute.

Air pollution causes 7 million deaths per year

Breathing clean air is essential for everyone, but unfortunately, the air we inhale is often far from healthy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 99% of the world's population is exposed, at any given time, to air quality that does not meet the organization's strict standards. Loaded with toxic gases and invisible fine particles that infiltrate the body, air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year, according to the WHO. In the world's most polluted cities, such as New Delhi, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Bangkok and Jakarta in Indonesia, it is extremely difficult to escape this harmful air. However, there are ways to protect yourself. One is to realize that air pollution isn’t just a hazy sky, as Tanushree Ganguly, an energy scientist at the University of Chicago in India, explains. “Blue skies don’t guarantee clean air,” she points out. This pollution generally comes from the combustion of various materials, such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline, used to produce energy and power transportation. It is also amplified by forest fires and the burning of crops and trees for agricultural purposes. Among the pollutants of greatest concern are fine particles, which can be inhaled. The smallest, called PM2,5, are less than 2,5 microns in diameter and penetrate deep into the lungs. They are mainly the result of fuel combustion. Larger particles, known as PM10, are often linked to agricultural activities, roads, mining or winds that stir up dust, according to the WHO. Other harmful substances, such as nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, are also emitted when fuels are burned, says Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of pollution vary across cities and seasons. In Jakarta, for example, old motorcycles and industrial boilers play a major role in degrading air quality. In Thailand and India, the burning of agricultural waste makes the situation worse. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, coal-fired brick kilns are particularly polluting, while in Brazil and North America, seasonal forest fires exacerbate the problem.

Editorial: विश्व को अमेरिका पर निर्भर हुए बिना समाधान तलाशना चाहिए

अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रम्प के प्लास्टिक प्रदूषण पर अंकुश लगाने के प्रयासों को छोड़ने के फैसले ने विशेषज्ञों के बीच चिंता पैदा कर दी है, जिन्होंने चेतावनी दी है कि संकट से निपटने में वैश्विक प्रगति धीमी हो सकती है और सुझाव दिया है कि दुनिया को अब संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका पर निर्भर हुए बिना समाधान तलाशने चाहिए। ट्रम्प, जिन्होंने पहले ही पेरिस जलवायु समझौते से अमेरिका को वापस ले लिया था, ने सोमवार को प्लास्टिक स्ट्रॉ पर प्रतिबंधों को खत्म करने वाले एक कार्यकारी आदेश पर हस्ताक्षर किए, जिसमें कहा गया, "कागज़ के स्ट्रॉ काम नहीं करते।" लेकिन यह कदम सिर्फ़ स्ट्रॉ से कहीं ज़्यादा है। यह प्लास्टिक प्रदूषण के खिलाफ़ वैश्विक लड़ाई में एक व्यापक झटके का संकेत देता है, खासकर तब जब देश इस संकट से निपटने के लिए कानूनी रूप से बाध्यकारी संधि पर बातचीत कर रहे हैं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) में सॉलिड वेस्ट मैनेजमेंट यूनिट के डिप्टी प्रोग्राम मैनेजर सिद्धार्थ घनश्याम ने कहा कि अमेरिका ने प्लास्टिक संधि वार्ता में कभी भी नेतृत्व की भूमिका नहीं निभाई है। “अमेरिका शायद ही कभी अंतर-सरकारी वार्ता में अपनी स्थिति का खुलासा करता है। उन्होंने कहा, "यह कोई मजबूत रुख नहीं अपनाता या सक्रिय रूप से भाग नहीं लेता। परंपरागत रूप से, इसने पर्याप्त काम नहीं किया है।" घनश्याम ने चेतावनी दी कि अमेरिका के इस फैसले से प्लास्टिक के सख्त नियमों का विरोध करने वाले देशों को बढ़ावा मिल सकता है। उन्होंने कहा, "फिलहाल हम गतिरोध की स्थिति में हैं। लेकिन अगले दौर की बातचीत में स्थिति बदल सकती है।" उन्होंने कहा कि अमेरिका के समर्थन के बिना प्लास्टिक प्रदूषण से निपटने के लिए फंडिंग कम हो सकती है। घनश्याम ने कहा, "जो काम दुनिया पांच साल में हासिल कर सकती थी, उसे हासिल करने में अब एक दशक लग सकता है। प्रगति धीमी होगी, लेकिन दुनिया आगे बढ़ेगी।" हालांकि, उन्होंने इस बात पर जोर दिया कि प्लास्टिक संधि का नतीजा किसी एक देश पर निर्भर नहीं करता। "अमेरिका का फैसला प्लास्टिक के नियमों का उल्लंघन करेगा।

केएलडी फीकल स्लज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट का भ्रमण

जौनपुर के 32 केएलडी फीकल स्लज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट का भ्रमण एवं स्वयं सहायता समूह (SHG) की महिलाओं का संचालन एवं रखरखाव (O&M) पर प्रशिक्षण Jaunpur news जौनपुर नगर पालिका परिषद द्वारा संचालित 32 केएलडी फीकल स्लज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट (FSTP) में एक विशेष प्रशिक्षण एवंExposure Visit का आयोजन किया गया। इस कार्यक्रम का उद्देश्य स्वयं सहायता समूह (SHG) की महिलाओं को एफएसटीपी के संचालन एवं रखरखाव (O&M) से जुड़ी आवश्यक जानकारियाँ प्रदान करना था, ताकि वे सुरक्षित व प्रभावी ढंग से इस प्रणाली को प्रबंधित कर सकें। प्रशिक्षण का संचालन सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) के कार्यक्रम अधिकारी अल्का कुमारी एवं कार्यक्रम अधिकारी मनीष मिश्रा द्वारा किया गया। प्रशिक्षण के दौरान प्रतिभागियों को एफएसटीपी की कार्यप्रणाली, नियमित रखरखाव प्रक्रियाएँ, सुरक्षा उपाय, और कीचड़ प्रबंधन से संबंधित महत्वपूर्ण तकनीकी पहलुओं पर विस्तृत जानकारी दी गई। इस कार्यक्रम में नगर पालिका परिषद जौनपुर के विभिन्न अधिकारी भी उपस्थित रहे, जिनमें शामिल हैं: प्रियंका यादव, अवर अभियंता (JE) जलकल खुशबू यादव, जिला परियोजना प्रबंधक (DPM) घनश्याम, अर्बन इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर स्पेशलिस्ट (UIS) कार्यक्रम का महत्व: इस प्रशिक्षण से SHG की महिलाओं को एफएसटीपी के प्रभावी संचालन व रखरखाव की जिम्मेदारी लेने के लिए सशक्त बनाया गया, जिससे शहर में बेहतर स्वच्छता प्रबंधन और सुरक्षित मल प्रबंधन को बढ़ावा मिलेगा। निष्कर्ष: यह पहल अमृत योजना, स्वच्छ भारत मिशन (SBM) और शहरव्यापी समावेशी स्वच्छता (CWIS) के उद्देश्यों को साकार करने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम है। भविष्य में भी इस प्रकार के प्रशिक्षण और जागरूकता कार्यक्रम आयोजित किए जाएंगे, ताकि शहरी स्वच्छता प्रबंधन में समुदाय की सक्रिय भागीदारी सुनिश्चित की जा सके।

जौनपुर FSTP पर SHG महिलाओं का भ्रमण और प्रशिक्षण

जौनपुर के 32 केएलडी फीकल स्लज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट का भ्रमण एवं स्वयं सहायता समूह (SHG) की महिलाओं का संचालन एवं रखरखाव (O&M) पर प्रशिक्षण जौनपुर नगर पालिका परिषद द्वारा संचालित 32 केएलडी फीकल स्लज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट (FSTP) में एक विशेष प्रशिक्षण एवंExposure Visit का आयोजन किया गया। इस कार्यक्रम का उद्देश्य स्वयं सहायता समूह (SHG) की महिलाओं को एफएसटीपी के संचालन एवं रखरखाव (O&M) से जुड़ी आवश्यक जानकारियाँ प्रदान करना था, ताकि वे सुरक्षित व प्रभावी ढंग से इस प्रणाली को प्रबंधित कर सकें। प्रशिक्षण का संचालन सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) के कार्यक्रम अधिकारी अल्का कुमारी एवं कार्यक्रम अधिकारी मनीष मिश्रा द्वारा किया गया। प्रशिक्षण के दौरान प्रतिभागियों को एफएसटीपी की कार्यप्रणाली, नियमित रखरखाव प्रक्रियाएँ, सुरक्षा उपाय, और कीचड़ प्रबंधन से संबंधित महत्वपूर्ण तकनीकी पहलुओं पर विस्तृत जानकारी दी गई। इस कार्यक्रम में नगर पालिका परिषद जौनपुर के विभिन्न अधिकारी भी उपस्थित रहे, जिनमें शामिल हैं: प्रियंका यादव, अवर अभियंता (JE) जलकल खुशबू यादव, जिला परियोजना प्रबंधक (DPM) घनश्याम, अर्बन इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर स्पेशलिस्ट (UIS) कार्यक्रम का महत्व: इस प्रशिक्षण से SHG की महिलाओं को एफएसटीपी के प्रभावी संचालन व रखरखाव की जिम्मेदारी लेने के लिए सशक्त बनाया गया, जिससे शहर में बेहतर स्वच्छता प्रबंधन और सुरक्षित मल प्रबंधन को बढ़ावा मिलेगा। निष्कर्ष: यह पहल अमृत योजना, स्वच्छ भारत मिशन (SBM) और शहरव्यापी समावेशी स्वच्छता (CWIS) के उद्देश्यों को साकार करने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम है। भविष्य में भी इस प्रकार के प्रशिक्षण और जागरूकता कार्यक्रम आयोजित किए जाएंगे, ताकि शहरी स्वच्छता प्रबंधन में समुदाय की सक्रिय भागीदारी सुनिश्चित की जा सके।

Certifying and awarding green schools

Recognising and awarding India’s most environmentally responsible schools, a staggering 356 schools received the coveted ‘Green’ certification from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Of these, 25 secured Green School Awards across 11 categories, in recognition of their exemplary initiatives in making their campuses environment-friendly and their students, environment-conscious. The Annual Green Schools Programme (GSP) Awards Ceremony celebrates the ‘green’ achievements of outstanding schools from across the country for their ingenuity and progressive practices. The objective is to acknowledge their endeavours and encourage more schools to actively engage in this environmentally conscious movement. The awards ceremony is a significant and festive affair, showcasing the participation of schoolchildren from across the nation in diverse competition sand activities. The GSP Audit 2025 saw a massive participation of 8831 schools from 33 states and union territories. The awards ceremony was attended by over 500 schoolchildren, their teachers and principals and key education department officials from across India. The event was graced by two prominent figures in the field of sustainability and education — CSE’s Director General Sunita Narain and Ladakh’s celebrated education reformer and innovator, Sonam Wangchuk, as per the press release. Together, they distributed awards to schools that demonstrated outstanding environmental stewardship through innovative practices and initiatives. For the second consecutive year, Punjab secured the Best State Award, registering the highest number of audit submissions, as announced by a CSE press release. This year, 7406 schools from Punjab participated, with 196 earning a green rating. Hoshiarpur was recognised as the Best District, with 1945 schools submitting reports. Other awards included the Changemaker Awards that are given to schools which improve their sustainability rating from yellow to green by monitoring and improving their practices over the year. The Sterling Schools Awards recognized schools that have consistently demonstrated excellence in environmental sustainability by maintaining a Green School ranking for five consecutive years under the GSP. Several schools were also recognised for outstanding performance in specific categories. This list included Air Action Award, the Energy Manager Award, the Good Food Award, the Land Manager Award, the Water-Wise Award and the Waste Warrior Award. Emphasising the urgent need for a shift in education paradigms, the press release quotes Wangchuk as stating, “We need to redefine education. The education system we follow is from the industrial revolution. Today we know that things are falling apart. So, we better change.” His message reinforced the need for an educational framework that nurtures environmental consciousness from an early age. The GSP Audit is a crucial environmental education initiative, according to the CSE, that allows schools to assess their use of resources and implement sustainable practices. The latest data from the 2024-25 audit reflects a remarkable shift towards sustainability among Indian schools. As per a Down to Earth (DTE) press release, it was found 87% of schools surveyed do not own or use vehicles, reducing carbon emissions. 93% of schools have banned packaged food on campus, promoting sustainable eating habits. 77% have adopted energy-efficient lighting. 71% of schools have eliminated single-use plastic and 26% are utilising renewable energy sources such as solar power. 25% have implemented rainwater harvesting systems, 30% practice waste segregation and composting and 48% maintain a green cover exceeding 35 per cent of their total area. While these statistics indicate significant progress, challenges remain. A concerning 16% of schools still burn waste and 8% continue to use diesel vehicles, highlighting areas where further intervention and education are needed. The GSP is an innovative environmental education initiative that enables schools to assess their resource use and implement sustainable practices. Through the audit, students evaluate their school’s performance across six key areas: air, energy, food, land, water, and waste. Schools completing the audit receive a sustainability rating — Green, Yellow, Orange, or Red — and a detailed performance report, guiding them to improve year after year. It is an environment management system that audits, through students, the consumption of natural resources within school campuses and helps schools become good environmental managers by deploying pragmatic solutions to reduce wastage of resources. According to the DTE press release, the resounding message was that schools are at the forefront of the environmental movement, shaping a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

Nearly everyone in world breathes bad air. This is what you can do to lower your risk

Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world - about 99% of the global population - is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organisation, the agency has reported. Polluted air, laden noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the UN health agency estimates. And for the millions living in some of the world's smoggiest cities - many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok and Jakarta, Indonesia - bad air might seem inescapable. But there are things that people can do, starting with understanding that the air isn't only polluted when it looks smoggy, said Tanushree Ganguly of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India. "Blue skies can't guarantee you clean air," she said. What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these - known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter - can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO. Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of air pollution varies in different cities and seasons. For instance, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to bad air in Indonesian capital Jakarta while burning of agricultural waste is a major reason for air pollution spikes in cities in Thailand and India. Brick kilns that burn coal adds to pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. And seasonal forest fires cause problems in Brazil and North America. What health problems can air pollution cause? Air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for early death globally, behind high blood pressure, according to a recent report by the Health Effects Institute. Short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, especially in the elderly or people with medical problems. Long-term exposure can cause serious heart and lung problems that can lead to death, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung infections. A recent analysis by the UN children's agency found that more than 500 million children in East Asia and Pacific countries breathe unhealthy air and the pollution is linked to the deaths of 100 children under 5 every day. June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia, said the polluted air compromises growth, harms lungs and impacts their cognitive abilities. "Every breath matters, but for too many children every breath can bring harm," she said. What's the best way to tell if air is safe? Over 6,000 cities in 117 countries now monitor air quality, and many weather mobile apps include air quality information. But trying to gauge how bad the air is by looking at these numbers can be confusing. To help people understand air quality levels more easily, many countries have adopted an air quality index or AQI - a numerical scale where larger numbers mean worse air. They are also often assigned different colours to show whether the air is clean or not. But different countries have different air quality standards. For instance, India's daily PM 2.5 limit is more than 1.5-times higher than Thailand's limit and 4-times higher than WHO standards. This means that countries calculate AQIs differently and the numbers aren't comparable with each other. This is also why sometimes AQI scores by private companies using stricter standards may be different from those calculated by national regulators. What are the best ways to protect yourself from air pollution? The goal, of course, is to limit exposure when air quality is bad, by staying inside or wearing a mask. Staying inside however, isn't always possible, especially for people who must live or work outside, noted Danny Djarum, an air quality researcher at World Resources Institute, an environmental advocacy group. "They can't really afford not going out," he said. Pakaphol Asavakomolnant, an office worker in Bangkok, said that he wears a mask every day and avoids riding to work on a motorbike. "I get a sore throat when I come to work in the morning and I forget to wear a mask," he said. People also need to be aware of indoor air pollution which can often be caused by common household activities like cooking or even burning an incense stick. What are the benefits - and limitations - of air purifiers? Air purifiers can help reduce indoor air pollution, but they have their limitations. They work by pulling air from a room, pushing it through a filter that traps pollutants before circulating it back. But they're are most effective when used in small spaces and when people are nearby. Air purifiers can only clean a certain amount of air, said Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, who studies urban air quality at the National University of Singapore. "If we have a tiny air purifier in a large room it won't be effective," he said. Air purifiers are also too expensive for people in many in developing countries. "The majority of people who are affected by air pollution can't really afford air purifiers," said WRI's Djarum.

World must explore solutions without relying on US: Experts

US President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon efforts to curb plastic pollution has raised concerns among experts, who warn that the global progress in tackling the crisis could slow down and suggest the world must now look for solutions without relying on the United States. Trump, who had already withdrawn the US from the Paris climate agreement, signed an executive order on Monday reversing restrictions on plastic straws, declaring, “Paper straws don’t work.” But the move is about more than just straws. It signals a broader setback in the global fight against plastic pollution, especially as countries are negotiating a legally-binding treaty to address the crisis. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world produces more than 430 million tonnes of plastic every year, two-thirds of which are short-lived products that soon become waste, polluting oceans and even entering the human food chain. If no urgent action is taken, the global plastic waste could nearly triple to 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060. Siddhartha Ghanshyam, deputy programme manager of the Solid Waste Management Unit at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said the US has never played a leadership role in the plastics treaty negotiations. “The US rarely reveals its position in intergovernmental talks. It does not take a strong stand or actively participate. Traditionally, it has not done enough,” he said. Ghanshyam warned that the US decision could embolden countries opposing strong plastic regulations. “Right now, we are at a deadlock. But in the next round of negotiations, the situation may change,” he said. Without US support, he added, funding for tackling plastic pollution could shrink. “What the world could have achieved in five years may now take a decade. Progress will be slow but the world will move forward,” Ghanshyam said. However, he emphasised that the outcome of the plastics treaty does not depend on a single country. “The US decision will affect negotiations but we should not give it more importance than it deserves,” he said. (PTI)

Nearly everyone in the world breathes bad air. This is what you can do to lower your risk

HANOI (Vietnam): Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world — about 99% of the global population — is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization, the agency has reported. Polluted air, laden noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the U.N. health agency estimates. And for the millions living in some of the world’s smoggiest cities — many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok and Jakarta, Indonesia — bad air might seem inescapable. But there are things that people can do, starting with understanding that the air isn’t only polluted when it looks smoggy, said Tanushree Ganguly of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India. “Blue skies can’t guarantee you clean air,” she said. What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these — known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter — can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO. Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of air pollution varies in different cities and seasons. For instance, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to bad air in Indonesian capital Jakarta while burning of agricultural waste is a major reason for air pollution spikes in cities in Thailand and India. Brick kilns that burn coal adds to pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. And seasonal forest fires cause problems in Brazil and North America. What health problems can air pollution cause? Air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for early death globally, behind high blood pressure, according to a recent report by the Health Effects Institute. Short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, especially in the elderly or people with medical problems. Long-term exposure can cause serious heart and lung problems that can lead to death, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung infections. A recent analysis by the U.N. children’s agency found that more than 500 million children in East Asia and Pacific countries breathe unhealthy air and the pollution is linked to the deaths of 100 children under 5 every day. June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia, said the polluted air compromises growth, harms lungs and impacts their cognitive abilities. “Every breath matters, but for too many children every breath can bring harm,” she said. Advertisement What’s the best way to tell if air is safe? Over 6,000 cities in 117 countries now monitor air quality, and many weather mobile apps include air quality information. But trying to gauge how bad the air is by looking at these numbers can be confusing. To help people understand air quality levels more easily, many countries have adopted an air quality index or AQI — a numerical scale where larger numbers mean worse air. They are also often assigned different colors to show whether the air is clean or not. But different countries have different air quality standards. For instance, India’s daily PM 2.5 limit is more than 1.5-times higher than Thailand’s limit and 4-times higher than WHO standards. This means that countries calculate AQIs differently and the numbers aren’t comparable with each other. This is also why sometimes AQI scores by private companies using stricter standards may be different from those calculated by national regulators. What are the best ways to protect yourself from air pollution? The goal, of course, is to limit exposure when air quality is bad, by staying inside or wearing a mask. Staying inside however, isn't always possible, especially for people who must live or work outside, noted Danny Djarum, an air quality researcher at World Resources Institute, an environmental advocacy group. “They can’t really afford not going out,” he said. Pakaphol Asavakomolnant, an office worker in Bangkok, said that he wears a mask every day and avoids riding to work on a motorbike. “I get a sore throat when I come to work in the morning and I forget to wear a mask,” he said. People also need to be aware of indoor air pollution which can often be caused by common household activities like cooking or even burning an incense stick. Advertisement What are the benefits — and limitations — of air purifiers? Air purifiers can help reduce indoor air pollution, but they have their limitations. They work by pulling air from a room, pushing it through a filter that traps pollutants before circulating it back. But they’re are most effective when used in small spaces and when people are nearby. Air purifiers can only clean a certain amount of air, said Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, who studies urban air quality at the National University of Singapore. “If we have a tiny air purifier in a large room it won’t be effective,” he said. Air purifiers are also too expensive for people in many in developing countries. “The majority of people who are affected by air pollution can’t really afford air purifiers,” said WRI's Djarum.

Nearly everyone in the world breathes bad air. This is what you ca do to lower your risk

What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes; or as a result of wildres. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world - about 99% of the global population - is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Polluted air, laden with noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the U.N. health agency estimates. And for the millions living in some of the world's smoggiest cities - many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok; and Jakarta, Indonesia - bad air might seem inescapable.

Air purifiers, masks and staying indoors: How to reduce your risk from air pollution

Nearly the entire world is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world - about 99 per cent of the global population - is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Polluted air, laden with noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the UN health agency estimates. For the millions living in some of the world's smoggiest cities - New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok; and Jakarta, Indonesia - bad air might seem inescapable. What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes; or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these - known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter - can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO. Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of air pollution vary in different cities and seasons. For instance, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to bad air in the Indonesian capital Jakarta while the burning of agricultural waste is a major reason for air pollution spikes in cities in Thailand and India. Brick kilns that burn coal add to pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. And seasonal forest fires cause problems in Brazil and North America. What health problems can air pollution cause? Air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for early death globally, behind high blood pressure, according to a recent report by the Health Effects Institute. Short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, especially in the elderly or people with medical problems. Long-term exposure can cause serious heart and lung problems that can lead to death, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung infections. A recent analysis by the UN children's agency found that more than 500 million children in East Asia and Pacific countries breathe unhealthy air and the pollution is linked to the deaths of 100 children under five every day. June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia, said the polluted air compromises growth, harms lungs and impacts cognitive abilities. "Every breath matters, but for too many children every breath can bring harm," she said. What's the best way to tell if air is safe? Over 6,000 cities in 117 countries now monitor air quality, and many weather mobile apps include air quality information. But trying to gauge how bad the air is by looking at these numbers can be confusing. To help people understand air quality levels more easily, many countries have adopted an air quality index or AQI - a numerical scale where larger numbers mean worse air. They are also often assigned different colours to show whether the air is clean or not.

Nearly Everyone in the World Breathes Bad Air. This Is What You Can Do To Lower Your Risk

Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh. While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world — about 99% of the global population — is exposed to air at some point that doesn’t meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Polluted air, laden with noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the U.N. health agency estimates. And for the millions living in some of the world’s smoggiest cities — many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok; and Jakarta, Indonesia — bad air might seem inescapable. But there are things that people can do, starting with understanding that the air isn’t only polluted when it looks smoggy, said Tanushree Ganguly of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India. “Blue skies can’t guarantee you clean air,” she said. What are the most dangerous kinds of air pollutants and their sources? Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural purposes; or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these — known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter — can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO. Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi. The sources and intensity of air pollution varies in different cities and seasons. For instance, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to bad air in Indonesian capital Jakarta while burning of agricultural waste is a major reason for air pollution spikes in cities in Thailand and India. Brick kilns that burn coal adds to pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital. And seasonal forest fires cause problems in Brazil and North America.