Air quality in Ratlam

What is the level of air pollution in Ratlam now?

Ratlam, historically also known as Ratnapuri (lit. gem city) is a city in the north-western part of the Malwa region in the Madhya Pradesh state in India. A 2019 census estimated the population to be approximately 264,000, which made it the 9th largest in the state.

Towards the middle of the year in 2021, Ratlam was experiencing a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 93. This follows the procedures as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is an internationally recognised set of metrics that is used when comparing air quality in different cities across the world. In order to determine this level, there are usually six of the most prevalent pollutants which are measured. Data is sometimes incomplete so the information that is available has to suffice. The three measured concentrations of pollutants in Ratlam were as follows: PM2.5 - 32.2 µg/m³, PM10 - 92 µg/m³ and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - 5.6 µg/m³.

With elevated levels such as this, the advice would be to stay indoors and close all doors and windows to prevent more dirty air from entering the rooms. Those people of a sensitive disposition should avoid unnecessary outdoor activity until the air quality improves. The table published at the top of this page will help you decide when it is safe to venture outside again.

Does the level of air pollution in Ratlam remain the same throughout the year?

Having consulted the newly released figures for 2020, it can be seen that the cleanest air was to be found during the summer months from June to the end of August. This period could be classed as being “Moderate” with readings between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. The months of April and November were the worst months for air quality when figures put them into the “Unhealthy” category with readings of 56.1 and 60 µg/m³, respectively. The remaining six months were fragmented across the 12 months and were classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with figures between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³. Historically there have been no records kept since 2020 when the average annual level was recorded at 46.6 µg/m³.

This could be an exaggeratedly lower figure due to the restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many private vehicles were prohibited from use because factories and offices had been instructed to cease operation on a temporary basis. The closure of the factories also meant they were no longer polluting the air whilst the lockdown was in place.

What is the source of air pollution in Ratlam?

Air pollution is called the adulteration of pollutants in the air which is very harmful to human health and for this planet. The two main sources of air pollution are natural and human sources.

Humanitarian pollution is caused by the export materials of developed countries, by forests, factories, transport, domestic works, agricultural work, thermal power plants, hazardous air pollutants, greenhouse gases, mining, chemical materials and solvents. There are many sources in nature that contaminate the air system. These can include volcanic activity, forest fires, organic waste etc. The lava, pieces of rock, water vapour, ash, various gases, etc. emitted during volcanic eruptions contaminate the atmosphere. Ashes, smoke gases etc. pollute the air due to forest fires.

According to the environmental protection department, the number one source of pollution affecting the ambient air quality in Ratlam is industrial pollution.

The second largest source of pollution is secondary dust. In recent years, the urban construction of Ratlam has been changing with each passing day, but the construction dust pollution generated during the construction process is serious, construction and transportation vehicles carry mud and soil on the road, and a construction site pollutes several roads. In addition, the construction of urban infrastructure is lagging behind, the cleaning rate of road machinery is low and the transportation of bulk powdery material does not use closed or covered vehicles.

The third is that the major pollution source is motor vehicle exhaust. Many vehicles are more than 15 years old and therefore lack the modern technology that incorporated filters to clean the emitted fumes.

According to the environmental protection department, in addition to the above three sources of pollution, oil fume pollution in the catering industry, especially pollution caused by outdoor barbecues, is also one of the sources of inhalable particulate matter in the urban ambient air.

What can be done to improve the air quality in Ratlam?

Under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), certain targets have been set to reduce environmental hazards. Under these goals, India's commitments and responsibilities for environmental protection become clear from the fact that several administrative and regulatory measures, including a separate law on air and water pollution, have been in force in the country for a long time.

Three levels of review system will be implemented for effective implementation, which includes monitoring, evaluation and inspection. This includes Real-Time physical data collection, general data collection and an action trigger system.

Under this system, it is targeted to reduce the level of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants in the air by 20 to 30 per cent by 2024.

State-level schemes of e-mobility in the two-wheeler sector, enhancement of charging facilities for electric vehicles, strict implementation of BS-6 norms, promotion of public transport system, and adoption of third party audits for polluting industries are also part of the program.

Some other ways of reducing air pollution are using a technique that absorbs most of the smoke and does not allow residual substances and gases to get into the air in large quantities.

The control of smoke emitted by vehicles and try and minimise the use of fossil fuels. Also a sustainable plantation program with a prohibition on uncontrolled deforestation of forests has been introduced.

How does air pollution in Ratlam affect human health?

Reports also say that living in polluted air throughout the day is equivalent to smoking many cigarettes.

Air pollution can prove fatal. Sometimes the air can spread pollutants very quickly throughout the atmosphere in no time. It is almost impossible for anyone who breathes polluted air to avoid infection. However, the level of pollution, reaction of pollutants and infection of pollutant based diseases are different in every person. The fact is that air pollution can have a harmful effect on every human body.

Heart problems, asthma, lung cancer, pneumonia and kidney disease can all be triggered by polluted air.