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Expert Panel to Tackle Rising Ozone Levels
19 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Ministry proposes a four-member expert panel to assess ozone pollution.
- Panel will evaluate ozone's short and long-term health impacts.
- NGT mandated expert panel formation following high ozone level reports.
The Union environment ministry has proposed the formation of a four-member expert panel dedicated to studying and mitigating ozone (O3) pollution. This crucial step, outlined in an affidavit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 16, 2025, comes in response to the tribunal's August 2025 directive.
The proposed panel will thoroughly assess the health impacts of ozone, both short-term and long-term, and evaluate ways to reduce its adverse effects. It will examine recent reports from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) containing current ozone concentrations and their precursors, with a mandate to submit its findings within two months of formation.
Reports from April 2025 indicated high ground-level ozone in major cities, with specific data from Delhi showing levels significantly exceeding national standards. The ministry has agreed with the CPCB's recommendations to control ozone precursors at their source.
