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8July 2021.
Introduction:
According to a study by non-government organisation (NGO), Greenpeace, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has been increased by 125 per cent in Delhi during the period of last one year.
Highlights:
- Study analysed NO2 concentrations in India’s eight most populous cities namely, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Lucknow.
- As per report, NO2 pollution has increased between April 2020 and April 2021 in all the eight capitals cities.
- Delhi reported the ‘most dramatic increase’ during this period.
- In Hyderabad, NO2 pollution increased by 69%.
- It increased by 94 per cent in Chennai, 90 per cent in Bengaluru, 69 52 per cent in Mumbai, 47 per cent in Jaipur, 32 per cent in Lucknow and 11 per cent in Kolkata during the same period.
What is NO2?
- NO2 is an intermediate in industrial synthesis of nitric acid.
- It is a reddish-brown gas at higher temperature.
- It can be fatal if inhaled in large quantity because it is a dangerous air pollutant.
- It is released when fuel is burned either in motor vehicles, power generation or industrial processes. NO2 is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in United States under Section 302 of U.S.
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
- It is subject to strict reporting requirements by facilities producing, storing, or using it in significant quantities.
Impact of NO2
- Exposure to NO2 severely impact health of people at all ages.
- It affects respiratory and circulatory systems and brain.
- Interaction of NO2 & other NOx with water, oxygen & other chemicals present in atmosphere can cause acid rain which harms sensitive ecosystems. Increased level of NO2 can also harm vegetation, decreasing growth, and reduce crop yields.