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Hidden Car Pollution Threatens Health
6 Oct
Summary
- Vehicle emissions like nitrogen oxides pose major health risks.
- Current pollution monitoring systems are inadequate for on-road testing.
- Ozone and black carbon from vehicles require greater attention.
Vehicle emissions, excluding PM2.5, are emerging as critical public health concerns, experts stated on the first day of Urban Adda 2026. Nitrogen oxides, black carbon, and ozone from vehicles represent significant, yet under-addressed, threats. These pollutants are linked to serious health conditions, including lung diseases, cardiovascular problems, and potentially neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Experts emphasized the inadequacy of current vehicle emission standards and monitoring systems. While Bharat Stage-VI standards have tightened, real-world emissions often differ from type-approval tests. The Pollution Under Control (PUC) system is considered insufficient for accurately measuring fine particulate pollution and other harmful gases.
There is a call for modernizing emission testing with technologies like remote sensing and automated monitoring. Vulnerable populations, such as traffic police and street vendors, require targeted protection due to prolonged exposure near roads. Ground-level pollutants like ozone and black carbon, formed from vehicle emissions, demand increased attention due to their severe health impacts, particularly on children and the elderly.
Transport-related emissions constitute a substantial portion of total emissions in many Indian cities, underscoring the necessity for sustained policy interventions. Discussions are shifting from mere pollutant concentration and AQI readings to a more comprehensive consideration of human exposure and toxicity.
