COMBATING SMOG

27.9.16
Environment Protection Department
Smoke+Fog phenomenon
Photo-chemical/LA Smog
Sulphuric /London Smog

Temperature
Normal Conditions
Inversion

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Local smog is a regional phenomenon

128 Oct2016
Nov 2016

2
Main contributors
Meteorology
(wind speed and direction, temperature,
humidity and precipitation)
Trans-boundary rice stubble burning
(32 million tons in 2016)
Local rice stubble burning
Emissions from vehicles, factories,
open burning and fugitive dust
Response: Preventive actions including:
 Continuous monitoring
 Forecasting and issuing advisories
 In the long term, a regional agreement for
cooperation on the pattern of “Agreement on
Transboundary Haze Pollution” between ten
ASEAN countries
Response: A mix of preventive and mitigation
measures
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Continuous monitoring

Imagery Date: 20th Oct 2017 1300Hrs PST

Fire Anomaly Layer Source: Suomi NPP VIIRS
Base Satellite Imagery: NPP VIIRS True Color

Two hourly met reports Transboundary situation through SUPARCO EPA Air Quality Monitoring Stations

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Newly developed risk index and advisories
Quality Index Description Actions – General Advisory
0-100 Good – Minimal impact –
101-200 Satisfactory – May cause minor breathing discomfort to  Consider restrictions on air pollution generating industrial units
(Light Green) sensitive people. and construction activities in the affected area
 No new air pollution generating activities allowed
200-300 Moderately Polluted – May cause breathing discomfort to  Consider shutting down high air pollution generating industrial
(Yellow) people with lung disease such as asthma, and discomfort units
to people with heart disease, children and older adults.  Consider restriction on use of motor vehicles
301-400 Poor – May cause breathing discomfort to people on  Consider shutting down of major construction activities
(Orange) prolonged exposure, and discomfort to people with heart  Advise for children and elderly to remain indoors in clean air
disease. especially during periods of peak pollution levels
 Consider shutting down of primary schools.
401-500 Very Poor – May cause respiratory illness to the people on  Consider shutting down of all educational institutions and parks
(Red) prolonged exposure. Effect may be more pronounced in  Advice for all to remain indoors in clean air
people with lung and heart diseases.  Wearing of mask when outdoor – distribution of free masks
500+ Severe – May cause respiratory impact even on healthy  Consider imposition of medical emergency with suspension of all
(Maroon) people, and serious health impacts on people with other outdoor activities
lung/heart disease. Health impacts may be experienced  Consider evacuation to safe places as far as practicable.
even during light physical activity.

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Policy and action plan

Federal
Agencies

Local
Governme Agriculture
nts

Environment
Department

Traffic
Home
Police

Health

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Dealing with local open burning
Immediate actions
 Ban on burning of crop residue, solid waste and other forms of open burning imposed and being
monitored through respective Deputy Commissioners
 No environmental approval to housing societies without a comprehensive solid waste treatment
system

Short to medium term actions

 Comprehensive plan by Agriculture Department to introduce alternate methods to disposal of
crop residue
 Complete solid waste management by cities and towns

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Dealing with vehicular pollution
Immediate actions Vehicles Challaned Fine Impose (in million Rs)
 Penal action against smoke emitting vehicles
64029
 Better traffic management – avoiding congestions, travel 58311 20.16
advisory in low visibility 18.36
 Checking fuel adulteration
 Promoting alternates to motor vehicles – no
environmental approval without provision for non- 34063 11.92
motorized lanes
25173 8.81

Short to medium term actions (with Federation)

 Introduction of low Sulphur fuels
 All vehicles to comply with Euro-II standards, mandating
manufacturers to install pollution control devices
 No environmental approval for manufacturing vehicles not 2016 2017 2016 2017
compliant with Euro-II standards Horns Smoke Prssure Horn Smoke

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Dealing with fugitive dust
Immediate actions
 Fugitive dust control measures undertaken by all major projects – notices issued
to 15 units, 5 projects halted for inadequate measures
 Suitable road shoulder design prepared to ward off fugitive dust
 Environmental approval linked to use of new road shoulder design

Short to medium term actions

 Improved road shoulder design implemented by C&W and other development
agencies across the province

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Greening industrial processes

 Appropriate pollution control technologies for rice husking mills, stone crushing units, steel re-rolling mills and
furnaces under this year ADP
 Similarly, another project focuses on solutions for fly and bottom ash disposal including using it for
manufacturing bricks
 Water conversation methods being piloted in xx textile units with GIZ support

Rolling out through upcoming WB Green Development Program ($150-200m)

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Long term measures

Developing woods
around cities –
inexpensive, natural
air purifiers Master land
utilization plans
Forest Department for all cities and
and Board of peri-urban
Revenue to work areas
together to identify
state land and
implement
Resource
efficiency and
environment
friendly
technology

City Woods Planned Urban & Industrial Development Greening

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 THANK YOU

27.9.16