Hyderabad: As Hyderabad grapples with alarming levels of particulate matter (PM) pollution—rising by 100 times in some areas—environmentalists have raised an alarm over the growing count of another pollutant: nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). According to them, NO₂ poses a serious risk to public health, especially for children and the elderly.
A recent Greenpeace report titled: Beyond North: NO₂ Pollution and Health Risks in Seven Major Indian Cities, has revealed that Hyderabad experienced dangerously high NO₂ levels on 307 days out of 365 last year, far surpassing other major cities like Mumbai (256 days), Bengaluru (295 days), and Kolkata (133 days).
While analysing NO₂ levels across seven cities—Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Jaipur—it found that Gachibowli had the highest NO₂ levels at 41 parts per billion (ppb) in 2023. This was followed by Old City (23 ppb), Bolarum (22 ppb), and Sanathnagar.
These figures are two to four times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe limit of 10 ppb.
Environmental experts say that it is a cause for concern, especially since NO₂ is often overlooked in discussions about air quality, despite it being highly toxic.
“Nitrogen dioxide is a near-invisible toxic gas that is directly tied to road traffic and fuel combustion, making it prevalent in most urban areas. While particulate matter has long been a focal point of air quality discussions, NO₂ pollution remains largely neglected. The largest source of NO₂ pollution in cities comes from road traffic. Cars, trucks, and buses emit nitrogen oxides (NO and NO₂) during fuel combustion,” said S Bhaskar Reddy, an environmentalist who conducted studies on pollutants in metro cities.
The report reiterates this. “The role of road traffic is crucial, as it consistently ranks among the top three sectors responsible for nitrogen oxide emissions (NO₂ and NO), according to the EDGAR emissions database. In Hyderabad, road traffic accounts for nearly a quarter of total nitrogen oxide emissions,” the report stated.
Reddy also said that industries and power plants that burn coal, oil, or natural gas for energy production contribute significantly to NO₂ pollution. He added: “While not a direct source of NO₂, the dust from construction activities and road traffic can contribute to the formation of NO₂ in the atmosphere when combined with other pollutants.”
2015 study linked NO₂ emission to paediatric asthma
In fact in 2015, as per the Greenpeace report, a study had linked NO₂ pollution to 2,430 paediatric asthma cases in Hyderabad, with road transport contributing to 24% of NO₂ emissions. Worse, in 2019, 2,800 deaths were attributed to NO₂ pollution with 18 ppb being an average NO₂ level in the city, as per the latest report.
City doctors confirm its adverse effect on public health. Calling it a ‘slow killer’, Dr Tejas Jogi, a pulmonologist, said, “Prolonged exposure to NO₂ can have severe health consequences, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. NO₂ irritates the airways, causing inflammation and reducing lung function. It can trigger or worsen asthma attacks and has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections. Over time, high levels of NO₂ exposure can contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems,” he said.
According to him, the invisible nature of this gas often leads to its effects being underestimated. “But its impact on public health is profound and long-lasting,” he added.
MSID:: 116045374 413 |
A recent Greenpeace report titled: Beyond North: NO₂ Pollution and Health Risks in Seven Major Indian Cities, has revealed that Hyderabad experienced dangerously high NO₂ levels on 307 days out of 365 last year, far surpassing other major cities like Mumbai (256 days), Bengaluru (295 days), and Kolkata (133 days).
While analysing NO₂ levels across seven cities—Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Jaipur—it found that Gachibowli had the highest NO₂ levels at 41 parts per billion (ppb) in 2023. This was followed by Old City (23 ppb), Bolarum (22 ppb), and Sanathnagar.
These figures are two to four times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe limit of 10 ppb.
Environmental experts say that it is a cause for concern, especially since NO₂ is often overlooked in discussions about air quality, despite it being highly toxic.
“Nitrogen dioxide is a near-invisible toxic gas that is directly tied to road traffic and fuel combustion, making it prevalent in most urban areas. While particulate matter has long been a focal point of air quality discussions, NO₂ pollution remains largely neglected. The largest source of NO₂ pollution in cities comes from road traffic. Cars, trucks, and buses emit nitrogen oxides (NO and NO₂) during fuel combustion,” said S Bhaskar Reddy, an environmentalist who conducted studies on pollutants in metro cities.
The report reiterates this. “The role of road traffic is crucial, as it consistently ranks among the top three sectors responsible for nitrogen oxide emissions (NO₂ and NO), according to the EDGAR emissions database. In Hyderabad, road traffic accounts for nearly a quarter of total nitrogen oxide emissions,” the report stated.
Reddy also said that industries and power plants that burn coal, oil, or natural gas for energy production contribute significantly to NO₂ pollution. He added: “While not a direct source of NO₂, the dust from construction activities and road traffic can contribute to the formation of NO₂ in the atmosphere when combined with other pollutants.”
2015 study linked NO₂ emission to paediatric asthma
In fact in 2015, as per the Greenpeace report, a study had linked NO₂ pollution to 2,430 paediatric asthma cases in Hyderabad, with road transport contributing to 24% of NO₂ emissions. Worse, in 2019, 2,800 deaths were attributed to NO₂ pollution with 18 ppb being an average NO₂ level in the city, as per the latest report.
City doctors confirm its adverse effect on public health. Calling it a ‘slow killer’, Dr Tejas Jogi, a pulmonologist, said, “Prolonged exposure to NO₂ can have severe health consequences, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. NO₂ irritates the airways, causing inflammation and reducing lung function. It can trigger or worsen asthma attacks and has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections. Over time, high levels of NO₂ exposure can contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems,” he said.
According to him, the invisible nature of this gas often leads to its effects being underestimated. “But its impact on public health is profound and long-lasting,” he added.
MSID:: 116045374 413 |
