Abstract:

Urban air pollution has posed a problem for city dwellers for centuries. Mumbai, one of the mega city of India, is the only Indian city to have good environmental pollution data covering for more than 25 years. In 1978, the annual level of NO2 was around 13 µg/m3, which was less than the WHO guideline value of 40 µg/m3 but from 1978 onwards up to 1982 there was a steep growth in the levels of NO2 reaching 50 µg/m3 in 1991. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) always exceeded the WHO guideline range (60-90 µg/m3) reaching a peak of 385 µg/m3 in 1987. After 1987, the annual average has come down to 285 µg/m3 .

This paper presents the journey of 25 years and more actions and policy interventions leading to changes in air pollution of a mega city of India. This work was completed under a joint initiative of MPCB, NEERI and USEPA. Air Pollution Control issues in Mumbai started way back in 70’s when its industrial area Chembur was called gas chamber. This area housed large industrial units such as fertilizer industry, three refineries and a power plant. The work carried out in those years where levels were monitored much before Air Act, 1981 was in place. Years of monitoring linked with health study made the authorities to implement various schemes for industrial emission control through technological changes, fuel shift as well as end-of-the pipe treatment led to drastic reduction of pollution in this area.

Owing to the commitment MPCB made subsequent to the BAQ 2004 as a national commitment, it has undertaken large scale attempts to bring up the policy interventions which have worked and given benefit of better air quality and health. Based on the study completed, it has also undertaken large-scale epidemiological study to develop long-term trends for air quality and health linkages. This would also facilitate the policy adoption for health care intervention.

Presentation: http://www.cleanairnet.org/baq2006/1757/docs/SW12_2.ppt