air pollution Archives - Page 3 of 4

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toxic Smog Engulfs New Delhi as Air Pollution Soars to 50 Times WHO Limit

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

New Delhi, India – A dense toxic smog blanketed New Delhi on Wednesday, with pollution levels surging to over 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit. Residents of the sprawling city of over 30 million grappled with choking air, as monitoring firm IQAir reported hazardous levels of PM2.5 pollutants topping 806 micrograms per cubic meter – microparticles that pose severe risks as they can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Many in the city cannot afford air filters or create sealed indoor spaces to protect themselves, and the smog has led to delayed flights, with visibility dropping below 500 meters in Delhi and even lower at 18 airports across northern India. The hazardous air is attributed to a range of factors, including agricultural stubble burning i...

Nov132024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Gurugram High Rise Conducts Artificial Rain to Tackle Worsening Air Pollution

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In a proactive response to the severe air quality crisis gripping Delhi NCR, authorities implemented “artificial rain” in Gurugram’s DLF Primus high-rise complex in Sector 82. Sprinkler systems and fire lines at the top of the 32-story buildings were used to release water, creating a rainfall effect aimed at reducing air pollution levels. The Resident Welfare Association (RWA) President of DLF Primus, Achal Yadav, stated, “This artificial rain initiative is our effort to curb pollution in the area. If AQI levels continue to rise, we’re ready to make this a daily measure.” Additional efforts, such as encouraging carpooling, are also underway to address the ongoing air quality issues. A video from the site shows light rainfall from the high-rise towers, clearing the skies and helping r...

Oct282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Delhi Air Crisis Deepens as Madhya Pradesh Leads Stubble Burning Cases, Surpassing Punjab and Haryana

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

As Delhi grapples with dangerously poor air quality, a recent study reveals that stubble burning a major contributor to pollution is escalating in states other than Punjab and Haryana. Data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) shows that Madhya Pradesh has recorded the highest number of stubble burning cases last week, marking a worrying shift in air pollution sources affecting Delhi. Madhya Pradesh Emerges as Top Contributor For the week of October 19 to October 25, Madhya Pradesh registered 536 incidents of stubble burning, far exceeding Punjab’s 401 cases and Haryana’s 192. This emerging trend suggests that the problem of crop residue burning is shifting geographically, with Madhya Pradesh now on the forefront. Stubble burning contributes significantly to Delh...

Aug302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

AI Emerges As Game-Changer in Climate Adaptation Transforming Complex Risk Analysis at Global

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

The power of AI lies in its ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, predicting climate impacts with unprecedented precision. According to the World Meteorological Organization, AI is revolutionizing earth system predictions, enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts, and improving disaster management. Tech giants like Google and Microsoft are harnessing AI to advance flood forecasting, wildfire tracking, and public health monitoring. Despite their potential, these models are yet to be fully operationalized in developing countries where they are most needed. In response, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is leveraging AI through initiatives like the Asia Pacific Risk and Resilience Portal. This platform uses AI-dr...

Aug282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Reveals Air Pollution in Indian Districts Raises Mortality Risk, Doubling Death Rate for Newborns and Young Children

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A recent study reveals a stark increase in mortality risks across all age groups in Indian districts where air pollution exceeds national standards, with newborns facing an 86% higher death risk and children under five facing a 100-120% increased risk. Conducted by researchers including those at the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, the study examined fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution across over 700 districts using data from the National Family and Health Survey (fifth round) and the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The study highlights that in households without a separate kitchen, the risk of death is notably higher among newborns and adults. Specifically, the mortality risk for newborns and children under five in districts with PM2.5 leve...

Aug232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Groundbreaking Air Quality Stripes Unveil Global Pollution Inequality and Offer Hopeful Solutions

Breaking News, Environment

A pioneering team of scientists has developed a new method to visually track and compare air pollution levels worldwide, revealing striking inequalities and offering a beacon of hope for improvement. Their innovative approach, dubbed "air quality stripes," charts pollution data from 1850 to the present day, making the invisible issue of air pollution both visible and understandable. Inspired by Ed Hawkins' climate stripes, these air quality stripes use a color-coded system to represent yearly pollution levels. Each year is displayed as a vertical bar, with colors ranging from sky blue indicating air that meets World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to darker shades of yellow, brown, and black for increasingly polluted air. The color scheme reflects over 200 images of smog from aroun...

Jul42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Air Pollution in India Linked to Nearly 33,000 Annual Deaths, Study Finds

Breaking News, Environment

Nearly 33,000 deaths each year across 10 major Indian cities can be attributed to air pollution levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, despite being below India's national clean air threshold. This alarming statistic comes from a report published in The Lancet Planetary Health, underscoring the urgent need for India to revise its air quality standards. The study, which examined data from 2008 to 2019, focused on PM2.5 exposure a fine particulate matter considered highly harmful to human health. It analyzed mortality rates across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi. Significant Statistics: Delhi: Recorded the highest number of air pollution-related deaths, with 12,000 deaths annually, representin...

Jun172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Crores of Premature Deaths Linked to Air Pollution in India Over Four Decades

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A comprehensive study led by researchers from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has revealed that air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to approximately 2.61 crore premature deaths in India between 1980 and 2020. This makes it one of the most extensive studies on air quality and climate, utilizing 40 years of data to assess the health impacts of PM2.5. According to the study, the average life expectancy in India has been significantly reduced due to conditions caused by PM2.5 pollution, such as strokes, heart and lung diseases, and cancer. The study also noted that weather patterns have exacerbated the impact of pollution, increasing the death toll by 14%. “Asia was estimated to have the largest number of PM2.5-attributable premature deat...

Jun152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Microplastics Detected in Human Semen: Scientists Sound Alarm Over Pervasive Pollution’s Potential Reproductive Impact

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Scientists are finding microplastics in virtually every nook and cranny they inspect in the human body. The alarming discoveries are now stacking up with such speed, there's barely any time to let the news sink in before another part of our anatomy joins the list of contaminated sites. Shortly after researchers in the US confirmed that microplastics had infiltrated the tissue in human testicles, researchers in China have now detected the pollutants in sperm as well. The team found microscopic fragments of plastic in every sample of seminal fluid supplied by 36 male participants from inland China. Polystyrene (PS) particles were the most abundant type found, making up nearly a third of the plastic identified in the average sample. Researchers aren't sure, but they suspect that the ...

Jun152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Haryana Chief Secretary Declares Solid Waste Emergency in Gurugram: Urgent Measures Launched Following Supreme Court Directive

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Haryana Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad announced that there is a huge amount of solid waste in Gurugram due to the large amount of untreated sewage, which is adversely affecting the environment and public health. The move is in response to the Supreme Court's May 13 judgment and the National Green Tribunal's observations on the need for a cleaner environment. In its May 13 decision, the Supreme Court said that a large amount of unprocessed solid waste destroys the environment, which is the main factor affecting the unpolluted life of citizens guaranteed in Article 21 of the Constitution. The NGT, in its order dated September 23, 2022, observed that the situation is an environmental emergency, but the required seriousness has not yet been resolved. The chief secretary, in an order issued...