Unexpected rise in levels of nitrogenous compounds like NO2 in Delhi air: ICMR

A multisite study conducted at five places in Delhi by the Indian Council of Medical Research has found an increase in wheezing and emergency visits associated with rise in levels of nitrogenous compounds like NO2, Union Health Minister JP Nadda told the Lok Sabha.

The government has issued a health advisory on air pollution and has also taken several steps to address air pollution issues, informed Nadda, who also holds the chemicals and fertilisers portfolio.

Responding to a question, Nadda said the government of India has sanctioned 1,561 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants, including 1,225 PSA plants which have been installed and commissioned under the PM CARES Fund in the country.

Additionally, 336 PSA plants have been set up by the PSUs under the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Power, Coal, Railways, etc., till date, Nadda said.

In 2015, 2021 and 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified emission standards for thermal power plants (TPPs) with the objective of introducing new norms for emission of SO2, NOx and Mercury from the TPPs.

The TPPs’ emission norms were notified with an implementation timeline of 2017 which was further extended.  Besides, several measures were taken for control of vehicular emissions, Nadda said.