New Delhi: There is a surge in emergency visits to medical centres due to rising levels of nitrogenous compounds like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the capital, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda told the Lok Sabha Friday.
A multisite study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) at five locations in Delhi found that nitrogenous compounds in the air cause an increase in wheezing and pose significant risks to public health.
NO2, a harmful pollutant, primarily affects the respiratory system. Breathing it in can increase the risk of respiratory infections and may impair lung function.
The minister mentioned that the Centre has sanctioned 1,561 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants nationwide. This includes 1,225 PSA plants installed and commissioned under the PM CARES Fund. Additionally, 336 PSA plants have been set up by public sector undertakings under various ministries, including petroleum & natural gas, power, coal and railways.
Uttar Pradesh leads the country in the number of installed oxygen generation plants, with 169, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 116. Delhi has 43 PSA plants.
In response to a question from Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Utkarsh Verma ‘Madhur’, Nadda informed Parliament that the central government has issued a health advisory on air pollution. The government has also implemented measures to curb emissions from thermal power plants and vehicles, he stated.
The ministry of environment, through notifications in 2015, 2021 and 2022, established emission standards for thermal power plants, aiming to regulate emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury.
While the original implementation deadline for the standards was set for 2017, it has since been extended.
Nadda further highlighted that the government has introduced BS-VI fuel standards, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 25-87 percent, and mandated vapour recovery systems at high-sales petrol pumps to curb refuelling emissions.
Electric vehicles are being promoted under the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024, while the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation initiative supports compressed bio-gas production. Further, National Clean Air Programme and the National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health aim to reduce air pollution.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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