Global Environment and Health Issues

This essay explores the impact of air pollution on health and the environment, with a focus on India. It discusses the relevance of the DPSEEA framework, globalization factors, economic influence, and suggestions for addressing the gap in policies and regulations. It also provides solutions for air pollution management and the role of health agencies and stakeholders.

Running head: GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH ISSUES
Topic: GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH ISSUES
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1GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH ISSUES
Introduction
The impact of air pollution varies according to the socioeconomic status of the
country. Developing countries like India often face challenges regarding the lack of facilities
as well as basic services which has an important impact on rapid as well as large scale
industrialization , technological development and urbanization. However, the differentiation
of traditional risks from the contemporary ones are difficult (Balakrishnan, Cohen & Smith,
2014). For an instance, fecal matter and pesticides may be instrumental in contaminating the
water supplies. Air pollution might be connected with the burning of dirty household fuels
along with the industrial use of the fuels (Kankaria, Nongkynnrih & Gupta, 2014). In addition
to the factors, rapid population growth surpasses the burden of a country’s socioeconomic
development, retards the social development as well as makes excessive demands of the
services, resources as well as the capacity of the ever increasing fragile environment
(Greenstone & Hanna, 2014). This essay deals with ever-increasing problem of Indoor and
Outdoor air quality in India and the possible ways of mitigation.
Part A
Relevance of the DPSEEA framework and its significance
The DPSEEA framework has been incorporated by the World Health Organization
which involves the driving force, pressure, the state of the hazard, exposure along with the
effect of the issues involving air pollution in India. The driving factors in India are the ever
increasing population growth which has risen to a whopping population over the years
(Gentry-Sheilds & Bartram, 2014). This escalation in the population simultaneously effects
the technological advancement and economic development of the nation which are affected
by the direct and indirect factors like the economic policies, social policies along with the
clean technologies in India. The resource to air pollution outdoors is affected by the
production and the consumption of the air pollutants. Moreover outdoor pollutions is affected

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by the percentage of vehicle emissions and industrial emissions regularly and the sudden
upsurge of air pollutants due to firing of crackers during festive occasions. The state is
indicated by the natural resources like the water bodies, air quality which are simultaneously
affected due to the pollution. The effect of the exposure to the air pollutants leads to
morbidity, mortality and the wellbeing of the people affected by air pollution (Dick et al.,
2014).
Globalization factors like social, economic and political influence of air pollution in
India
About the effect or air pollution on the society, there is a lack of awareness regarding
the intimidating effects of air pollution and its long term impacts on the people of developing
countries like India. Due to the increase in rising air pollutants at an alarming state, it has
become a major concern for the Indian government (Guttikunda & Mohan, 2014). The
constitution of India has enacted the Air (Prevention and control of pollution Act) for
the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution and implementation of the provisions
of the Air act. Moreover constant regulations have been done from the Centre along with
various laws and regulation regarding the mitigation strategies (Vijayan et al., 2015). Central
pollution control board in such situations, has the power to declare the area as air pollution
control area after consultation with the state pollution control board. Thus the government
have suggested use of pool cars and vehicles on alternate days, along with the prohibition of
any kind of fuel use. Moreover the State government have also prohibited the use of
appliances having the potential of emitting suspended particulate matter above the threshold
level (Landrigan et al., 2018). Automobile emissions are controlled by the State government
through the Motor Vehicles Act for adhering to the standards for the control of increased
emission of air pollutants.

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Economic influence of air pollution in India
In developing countries like India, pollution has a deep economic impact on the
whole gross domestic product. Over the years India has lost more the 8.5 % of the domestic
product in 2013 due to the increase the cost of welfare as well as lost labor due to air
pollution. Moreover, in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, air pollution have cost more than 10.66
billion dollars in 2015 (WHO, 2019). In middle income countries, almost 7% of annual
healthcare expenditure has been utilized in the middle income countries like India which have
been rapid developing as well as heavily polluted (Brauer et al., 2015).
Selection of geographical area and health influence and vulnerable group
Delhi in India has been chosen for the particular study because air quality index in
Delhi is deteriorating day by day and have reached hazardous levels in between October to
December. In the year 2017, the event has been known as smog where there has been spike in
the air pollution levels beyond acceptable levels. In India, air pollution has already emerged
as the deadliest means of pollution and has been considered as the fourth leading factor for
premature deaths. Older people are mainly affected by the various pollutants of vehicle and
household emissions. Moreover, it leads to various respiratory disorders like bronchitis,
asthma, lung cancer and it also poses a threat for pregnant women and children.
Part B
Air pollution management and role air pollution and role of health agencies, key
stakeholders in community groups, critical infrastructure and legislative measures at
regulatory and state level.
The various outdoors sources of air pollution in India is from vehicle emissions and
industrial pollutants. The various indoor pollutants are from use of indoor cook stoves,

4GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH ISSUES
tobacco smoke, and biological sources as well. According to the reports of the World Health
Organization, the committee has proposed a coordinated as well as concerted effort which
includes switching to various clean energy sources including cook stoves, factors like the
public transport and transport as well as measures of reducing the effects of air pollution
through the increase in fuel taxes (Sussan et al., 2014). Moreover it includes levying
congestion charges as well as the creation of vehicle free zones as well as cycle paths. Delhi
government have switched to the alternative sources of natural sources like compressed
natural gas. Moreover strategies like replacement of cook stoves with the clean and efficient
cook stoves along with the reduction of pollution from diesel transport and restriction in open
burning of fossil fuels along with burning of biomass and the increased use of biofuels have
been implemented (Rogalsky et al., 2014).
Suggestions for addressing the gap in policies, regulations and management for air
pollution in India
For reducing the air pollution in developing countries like Delhi, there are various
precautions which can be taken in the future. I would highlight the use of conservation of
energy. I would also propose the suggestion of using energy efficient light bulbs and other
electrical appliances for limiting the amount of the various resources. I would also suggest
usage of low polluting outboard engines as well as personal watercraft for limited usage.
Moreover, I would also suggest the use of more stringent vehicle emission standards and
the promotion of energy conservation programs which would be encouraged for the limited
use of resources and their increased awareness about the negative effects of pollutions.
Maintenance of electrical appliances and automobiles should be considered as a major factor
for the limited use of the resources. Most importantly awareness of every individual
regarding their actions is crucial which might lead to pollution. This step is important for the
ultimate way of reducing sources contributing to increased air pollution.

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Ethical consideration for air pollution in India
Various ethical considerations have to be taken which includes strict rules and
regulations regarding the control of pollution due to smoking where the differentiation should
be made between smokers and the nonsmokers. It includes chemicals and biological
particulate matters and their effective control. Moreover, before setting up of industries
around localities, proper permission should be taken regarding controlled pollution levels.
Critical analysis of air pollution crisis in India
According to Devinson, Deshusses and Webster (2017), there has been an ever
increasing urgency of regulation and control of air pollutions in terms of environmental and
medical concern. Regulations are required for refining of industrial and commercial sectors
for the increased dependence on technologies for incineration, carbon absorption and
scrubbing for reducing the environmental damage caused by technological advancement.
Supporting the evidence of the authors, Mishra and Goyal (2015) have suggested the
application of dynamic emission factors for providing an estimate of the vehicular emissions
in polluted cities like the Delhi urban areas. Moreover a proper discussion of the uncertainties
is required for the estimation of vehicular emission after the implementation of CNG.
Research studies by Pandey and Venkataraman (2016) have found supporting evidence for
the statement of the authors regarding the introduction of alternative sources, which state that
most of the contributions have been done from on road vehicles. Moreover, the largest
emitters have been two stroke vehicles and automobile running on diesel. Studies by Jain et al
(2016) have further extended the research of previous authors by stating that private vehicles
have greater contributions to pollution in Delhi than public transport. Moreover, activity
based emission factors have been used for emission modelling.

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Conclusion
From the following paragraphs it can be understood that air pollution from both
indoors and outdoors source is one of the leading sources of pollution all across the world.
Moreover, there is a connection between the increasing sources of pollution among
developing nations. India is one of them, Delhi being the most polluted state so far.
According to the DPSEEA framework incorporated by the World Health Organization, there
are various driving forces, pressures, changes of state and the effects of air pollution. This has
a distinct impact on the social, economic factors affecting the country. There has been various
laws and regulations passed by the State government as well as the central government in
unison for curbing the harmful effects of air-pollution. There are various ways of curbing the
effects of Air pollution individually as well as the community. Thus if such precautions are
taken against unnecessary wastage of resources contributing to air pollution, then there will
be an enhancement of the present condition in India.

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