Q. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards ?

Model Answer:

WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines and India’s Clean Air Programme

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs), updating its previous standards from 2005. These new guidelines aim to protect public health by providing evidence-based air quality levels for key pollutants.

Key points of the revised WHO AQGs:

• Stricter limits for six major air pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide
• Introduction of interim targets to guide reduction efforts
• Emphasis on the health impacts of short-term and long-term exposure

Differences from 2005 guidelines:

• Significantly lower recommended levels: PM2.5 annual mean reduced from 10 μg/m³ to 5 μg/m³
• New guidelines for peak season ozone concentrations
• Shorter averaging periods for NO2 and CO to address short-term exposure risks

Changes required in India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):

• Revise current NCAP targets to align with WHO guidelines
• Expand monitoring network to cover more cities and rural areas
• Strengthen emission control measures for industries and vehicles
• Implement sector-specific strategies (e.g., clean cooking fuels, dust management)
• Enhance inter-state coordination for regional air quality management
• Increase public awareness and participation in air quality improvement efforts

Challenges in implementation include:

• High pollution levels in many Indian cities (e.g., Delhi, Kolkata)
• Limited resources and technical capacity
• Balancing economic growth with environmental protection
• Addressing diverse pollution sources (e.g., crop burning, construction)

To achieve the revised standards, India must:

• Set more ambitious, time-bound goals
• Allocate increased funding for air quality initiatives
• Promote cleaner technologies and sustainable practices
• Strengthen enforcement of existing regulations
• Foster collaboration between government, industries, and civil society

Conclusion: Aligning with WHO guidelines requires comprehensive policy reforms and sustained efforts to significantly improve India’s air quality and public health.