Chapter 5

AIR POLLUTION IN DURGAPUR - AN OVERVIEW

We have discussed in the previous chapter how the industrial scenario in

Durgapur region has skyrocketed in the last decade. The benefits of neo·

industrialisation, especially the post-2000 expansion, has also been

linked to increased pollution in the locality and it is argued that the

process have caused severe damages to the local environment. In this

chapter we briefly look at the air pollution situation in Durgapur.

However, we discuss various basic issues related to air pollution at the

beginning to provide a backdrop to the emerging pollution scenario in the

city.

INDUSTRIAL Am POLLUTION- SOME STYLISED FACTS

Why Study Air Pollution?

Clean air to breathe is just as important as safe water or food. Yet

millions of people, mostly in the newly industrialising regions of

developing countries, breathe heavily polluted air. In spite of that, though

industrialisation causes environmental damages in terms of both air and

water pollution, most of existing studies on environmental impact of

industrialisation has focussed on discharge of effluents and water

pollution. This is because of various factors - water is to be 'cleaned' and

'delivered' to the users in packaged (bottledftankedffiped) form; water

pollution is more readily visible (in the discharge channels of industries

55

and in the river, streams and other waterbodies; also in swarms of dead

fishes floating about); it is easier to fix accountability for pollution; and it

is also easier (though costly) for authorities to purify water before

supplying. In addition, it is easier to control hydrological flows through

check dams, sewer pits, effluent treatment plants etc. As a result

research and administrative focus have been more on water pollution. On

contrary, air is not 'delivered' to users in 'pipes' as water frequently is,

and as a result it is almost impossible to cleanse polluted air before it is

'consumed'. But air pollution is as deadly, if not more, because of this

very reason - it is not cleaned before consumption. In this regard the

position of humans with respect to polluted air is somewhat similar to

that for fishes with regard to polluted water- human beings live in a sea

of air with no control over the quality of air that they breathe - and

suffering from the polluted air as much as fishes do in polluted water,

moving towards death faster than they otherwise would have been.

Industrial air pollution has been responsible for a host of health

problems, some ofwhich are discussed later.

Impacts on Health & Livelihood

Direct impact of poo~ air quality on human health principally falls on the

body's respiratory system and cardiovascular system. Individual

reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a person is

exposed to, the degree of exposure, the individual's health status and

also genetics. Visible and perceptible effects of air pollution on human

health include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing and

aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions, and also lung

cancer. These effects result in loss of income due to increased visits to

doctors & medical institutions, economic burdens due to increased

56

medication & hospital admissions, and ultimately financial and

emotional loss due to premature death. Epidemiological studies suggest

that more than a million people die each year from cardiopulmonary

di~ease like aggravated asthma, emphysema, lung and heart diseases,

and respiratory allergies arising out of industrial air pollution. Across the

globe more people die each year from air pollution than due to road ,

accidents.

In addition, there are indirect effects of air pollution like acid rain,

polluted drinking water, global warming & associated climate change, sea

level rise, etc. that affect human health and livelihood.

What are the major (air) pollutants that can be attributed to

industrialisation? A brief summary of some of them are given in the next

section.

MAJOR POLLUTANTS

Suspended Particulo.te Matter & Respirable SuspendedParticulo.te Matter

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM, also called PMlO) is defined as a

particle floating in the air with a diameter below 10 micron (micrometre-

pm). SPM covers a wide range of mainly finely divided solid particles that

may be dispersed into the air from fuel combustion processes - mostly

from industrial activities including power plants, and also from vehicles.

Studies have shown that high SPM concentrations in the air can have a

detrimental impact on respiratory organs. The suspended particulates

ar~ important in relation to health not only because they persist in the

atmosphere longer than larger particles, but also because they are small

enough to be inhaled and to penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract.

Besides causing respiratory disorders and hypertension, pollution may be

damaging genes and changing human behaviour, revealed a study on

57

health of urban population in Delhi and rural population West Bengal

and Uttarakhand (Chandola, 2008).

In recent years it has been accepted that particulate matters that are less

than 2.5 pm in diameter are more deadly that the larger SPMs because of

their smaller size. These particulate matters are called Respirable

Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM, also known as PM2.5). While the

larger particles are generally filtered in the nose and throat via cilia and

mucus, smaller particles settle in the bronchi and lungs and cause

health problems. Particles smaller than 2.5 micron tend to even

pehetrate into the gas exchange regions of the lung, and thereafter may

pass through the lungs, migrating into other organs, including the brain.

It has been suggested that very fine particulate matters can cause brain

damage similar to that found in patients suffering from Alzheimees

disease. In particular, a study published in the Journal of the American

Medical Association indicates that PM2.5 leads to high plaque deposits in

arteries, causing vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis - a

hardening of the arteries that reduces elasticity, which can lead to heart

attacks and other cardiovascular problems (Pope et al, 2002). PM2.5 is

the most harmful component of air-borne particulate contamination and

cannot be blocked effectively by ordinary filters. They can only be trapped

by properly designed HEPA filters or Electrostatic Precipitators. Though

PM2.5 has been associated with premature mortality and other serious

health effects as indicated above, its threat has not received due

acknowledgement in India as yet.

Sulphur Oxides

Sulphur Oxides (SOx), especially sulphur dioxide, a chemical compound

with the formula S02 is produced by volcanoes. Since coal and petroleum

58

often contain sulphur compounds, their combustion generates sulphur

dioxide and so various industrial processes also emit SOx. Further

oxidation of S02, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as N02, forms

H2S04, commonly known as Sulphuric Acid, which comes back to earth

as Acid Rain. Current scientific evidence links short-term exposures to

S02, ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours, with a range of of adverse

respiratory effects, including broncho-constriction and increased asthma

symptoms. These effects are particularly important for asthmatics at

elevated ventilation rates (e.g., while exercising or playing outdoors). This

is one of the causes for concern over the environmental impact of the use

of these fuels in industrial units.

Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), especially nitrogen dioxide, are emitted from high

temperature combustion. Nitrogen dioxide, the chemical compound with

th~ formula N02 is a reddish-brown toxic gas with a characteristic sharp,

biting odour. N02 is one of the most prominent air pollutants. NOx reacts

with ammonia, moisture, and other compounds to form nitric acid

vapour and acid rain. NOx reacts with Volatile Organic Compounds

(VOCs) in the presence of sunlight to form compounds that can cause

adverse effects such as damage to lung tissue and reduction in lung

function mostly in susceptible populations like children, elderly, and

those already suffering from asthmatics. Though NOx from combustion

sources does not reach the stratosphere, photolysis of nitrous oxide

produces NOx in the stratosphere that destroys the ozone layer therein

ana causes ultraviolet rays to penetrate to earth. NOx also readily reacts

with common organic chemicals, and even ozone, to form a wide variety

of toxic products some of which may cause biological mutations.

59

Carbon Oxides

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, non-irritating but very

poisonous gas. It is a product by incomplete combustion of fuel such as

natural gas, coal or wood. CO can cause harmful health effects by

reducing oxygen delivery to the body's organs like heart, brain and

tissues. Some of the ailments associated with higher intake of CO are

Myocardial Ischemia (reduced oxygen to the heart) and Angina (acute

chest pain). At extremely high concentration levels CO can cause death

due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon Dioxide (C02) is a colourless, odourless, non-toxic greenhouse gas

e~itted from sources such as combustion, cement production, and

respiration. As commonly known, C02 is associated with global warming

and ocean acidification. However, at more direct level, release of carbon

dioxide in a limited or unventilated area lowers the concentration of

oxygen in human bodies to a dangerously low level and causes

asphyxiation. When carbon dioxide concentration in human body

increases (or decrease) from the normal level due to abnormally high level

of it in the air breathed in, the equilibrium of pH of human bodies are

disturbed which may lead to life threatening situations like Kidney

damage or Coma.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Oraanic Compounds (VOCs) are an important outdoor air

pollutant. In this field they are often divided into the separate categories

of methane (CH4) and Non-Methane (NMVOCs). Methane is an extremely

efficient greenhouse gas which contributes to enhanced global warming.

Other hydrocarbon VOCs are also significant greenhouse gases because

of their role in prolonging the life of methane in the atmosphere, although

60

the effect varies depending on local air quality. Within the NMVOCs, the

aromatic compounds benzene, toluene, butadiene and xylene are

suspected carcinogens and may lead to leukaemia through prolonged

exposure.

Secondary Pollutants

SMOG - Several secondary pollutants may emerge from the primary

industrial air pollutants, the most common of which is Smog (a mix of

Smoke and Fog) - particulate matters formed from gaseous primary

pollutants and compounds. Smog in modem world results from mixture

of smoke and sulphur dioxide, resulting mainly from vehicular and

industrial emissions that are acted on in the atmosphere by ultraviolet

light from the sun to form secondary pollutants that also combine with

the primary emissions to form photochemical smog.

GROUND LEVEL OZONE - Ozone (03) is a key constituent of the

stratosphere, and is commonly known as the Ozone layer. The Ozone

Layer acts as a protective cover around the globe, preventing harmful

ultraviolet rays and extreme heat of the sun from reaching the earth.

However, ozone formed from NOx and VOCs at the troposphere,

specifically close to the ground, is harmful. Abnormally high

concentrations of Ozone brought about by human activities like

combustion of fossil fuel is a pollutant and a constituent of smog,

affecting lung functions and lung tissues.

While some of the pollutants listed above work at the global level, some of

them like SPM, RSPM, SOx, and NOx have substantial local impacts on

health and livelihood of the people, and are more immediately related to

environmental concerns at the regional level.

61

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Against this backdrop we now would explore the trends in air pollution

level in Durgapur city over the last decade - the period matching with the

neo-industrialisation process as already described in the last chapter.

AIR POLLUTION IN DURGAPUR

Pollution and Land Use

To understand the air pollution level and its impact on the local

residents, one must first understand the landuse pattern in Durgapur.

As noted earlier, Durgapur developed from a nondescript sleepy town to

one of the industrial epicentres of independent India mostly through

establishment of public sector undertakings. As a result land use pattern

followed a zoning policy which clearly demarcated between residential,

commercial, and industrial areas in the initial stage of development.

However, in the older localities like Durgapur town, Durgapur Station,

Benachity, and Bhiringi, residential and commercial activities merged

with each other. The setting up of the modem industrial city under the

overall stewardship of Durgapur Development Authority (established in

1960, later merged with Asansol Development Authority to form Asansol

Durgapur Development Authority) followed a pattern where industries, by

and large, were located mostly south of the national highway, between

the highway and the railway line (Map 5.01). The planned townships were

located mostly to the north of highways, after leaving a green belt in

between as buffer. However, the first dent to this plan was observed

during the 1980s when the new government in West Bengal allowed

setting up of three new industrial units to the south of the railway line up

to the river Damodar along with their townships. Second, as land was

relatively cheaply acquired during the 1950s and 1960s, almost all the

PSUs had come to own much more land than was immediately necessary.

65

As a result, there were large tracts of vacant land between the individual

townships which later contributed to the development of unplanned

residential and commercial areas. Settlements, mostly of unorganised

workers engaged in services sector and casual workers of the industrial

se~tor, came up in the hitherto vacant land. Private residential colonies

were also set up around the City Centre area to fulfil the unmet demand

for housing and business. Therefore, in the beginning of this century, the

land use pattern was much different than what was planned frl'ty years

back (Map 5.02). In the last decade however, in a bid to attract

industries, land was· allotted to the new industries too close to the

residential areas, erasing the buffer zone between industrial and

residential areas to a large extent (Map 5.03). This has resulted in greater

impact of industrial pollutants on the day-to-day life of the residents.

This will be evident in the next section when we depict the trends in

levels of various pollutants in the air in Durgapur.

Levels of Pollutants

The earliest concern about pollution, especially air pollution in Durgapur

surfaced towards the last decade of the last century when environmental

impact assessment became the norm for any industrialization· I

urbanisation project. In addition, concerns about vehicular pollution,

especially those arising from heavy goods vehicles passing through the

city on the NH2, were also being raised. Against this background, West

Bengal Pollution Control Board sponsored a project undertaken by

Durgapur Science & Cultural Forum on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in

Selected Traffic Intersections and Industrial Areas of Durgapur during

1999-2000. The project monitored levels of four pollutants in the air­

SPM, 802 , NOx and Lead - at four locations of the city, the chemical

66

analysis of the project being done at the Central Mechanical and

Engineering Research Institute. It was observed that by and large the SOx

and NOx levels in the air were within permissible standards in the four

selected locations, except in Bhiringi where NOx levels exceeded the

critical value in November and December (Table 5.01). SPM levels

however, were considerably higher than the permissible standard,

especially in Muchipara and Bhiringi. Location maps explain such high

levels as both these places are just beside the National Highway

(erstwhile Grand Trunk Road} connecting Delhi and Calcutta with very

heavy vehicular traffic, both passenger and goods. Also, in late 1999,

India had still not set in place the Euro-I equivalent India 2000 Emission

Standards for automobiles.

Table 5.01 Level of Pollutants in Selected Locations ofDumaJ!ur -1999 {in 1,!:2}

Pollutant Period Locations Cit!J. Centre Muchipara Karang_al!f!;ra Bhirlng_i

Sept '99 89.7 930.7 75.0 400.0 SPM Oct '99 144.1 584.9 135.5 463.9 (200) Nov '99 265.3 799.3 322.5 722.8

Dec '99 299.0 971.4 229.3 800.0 Sept '99 6.7 18.7 6.0 20.7

SOx Oct '99 9.5 13.1 4.6 19.0 (80) Nov '99 7.3 13.5 16.8 20.8

Dec '99 7.2 20.3 13.1 21.5 Sept '99 61.3 45.0 25.3 58.0

NOx Oct '99 66.7 71.4 65.2 104.6 (80) Nov '99 40.5 140.5 105.3 167.5

Dec '99 51.2 157.3 87.5 183.1 Source: CMERI (2001); Notes: Figures in parenthesis are Permissible Limit for Residential areas;

Another study was undertaken in 2006 by WBPCB itself that started

monitoring air quality at three stations in Durgapur in May 2004 under

the National Air Monitoring Project (Table 5.02). The air quality data

corresponding to its annual average concentration in Durgapur over the

2004-05 period are provided in Table 5.06.

67

Table5.02 Level of Pollutants in Selected Locations of Durga(!Ur- 2004-05 (in l:!;,)

Location Pollutant Period Bhiringi-

PCBLMore Benachiti Bidhanna9.ar May '04 296 240 172 Jun '04 193 184 100 Jul '04 136 120 65 Aug '04 140 113 58

SPM Sep '04 139 162 65

. (200) bet '04 263 230 113 Nov '04 572 431 227 Dec'04 584 473 231 Jan 'OS 559 387 215 Feb '05 434 288 153 Mar 'OS 434 346 159 May '04 116 89 63 Jun '04 86 75 44 Jul '04 69 52 29 Aug '04 71 48 26

RSPM Sep '04 56 65 29

(100) Oct '04 125 112 56 Nov '04 264 223 116 Dec '04 281 269 128 Jan '05 264 204 113 Feh'OS 188 147 79 Mar '05 165 146 70 May '04 20 11 7

Jun '04 10 7 6 Jul '04 12 6 6 Aug '04 20 5 5

SOx Sep '04 9 5 4 Oct '04 8 5 5

(80) Nov '04 12 5 5 Dec '04 16 6 5 Jan '05 20 5 5

Feb '05 10 6 5 Mar '05 11 7 6 May '04 44 46 33 Jun '04 42 43 38 Jul '04 45 42 40 Aug '04 42 34 31 Sep '04 35 35 31

NOx Oct '04 40 40 33 (80) Nov '04 53 53 48

Dec '04 64 52 46 Jan '05 71 62 52 Feb '05 60 61 51 Mar '05 56 60 49

Source: WBPCB (2006); Notes: Figures in parenthesis are Permissible Limit for Residential areas;

68

Table 5.03 Level ofSPM and RPM in Selected Locations ofDurgapur- 2009·10 (in lltz)

Pollutant Period Locations

PCBLMore BhirinfJ.i Bidhannag_ar Ang_adl!.ur Jul '09 332 160 82 218 Sep '09 283 172 87 118 Oct '09 545 338 299 249 Nov '09 780 448 337 375 Dec '09 985 647 418 567 Jan '10 963 631 376 699 Feb'10 1010 753 249 473

SPM Mar '10 803 539 278 353

(200) Apr '10 321 302 188 216 May'lO 252 201 159 140 Jun '10 193 140 85 83 Jul '10 193 125 77 164 Aug '10 194 176 130 108 Sep '10 222 137 112 146 Oct '10 391 227 196 351 Nov '10 412 289 257 426 Dec '10 785 396 244 476 Jul'09 160 67 31 102 Sep'09 135 77 37 51 Oct '09 270 163 154 114 Nov '09 377 212 159 173 Dec '09 486 311 199 270 Jan '10 469 312 174 340 Feb'lO 496 371 112 226

Mar '10 392 254 128 159 RSPM Apr '10 150 138 86 96 (100) May'lO 110 87 67 54

Jun '10 79 55 32 30 Jul '10 86 52 31 68

Aug '10 86 81 56 47 Sep '10 104 60 51 70 Oct '10 190 105 92 159 Nov '10 198 138 119 201 Dec '10 382 184 111 228

Source: www. wbpcb.gov.in Notes: Figures in parenthesis are Permissible Limit for Residential areas;

69

Table 5.04 Level of SOx and NOx in Selected Locations of Durgapur 2009-10 (in 1+g)

Pollutant Period Locations PCBL More Bhiringi Bidhannagar Angadpur

SOx (200)

NOx (200)

Jul'09 Sep '09 Oct '09 Nov '09 Dec '09 Jan '10 Feb '10 Mar '10 Apr '10 May'lO Jun '10 Jul '10 Aug '10 Sep '10 Oct '10 Nov '10 Dec '10 Jul '09 Sep'09 Oct '09 Nov '09 Dec '09 Jan '10 Feb '10 Mar'10 Apr '10 May'10 Jun '10 Jul'lO Aug '10 Sep '10 Oct '10 Nov '10 Dec '10

10 7 9 6

10 8 11 10 12 12 12 11 12 10 10 10 9 8

10 9 8 8 9 8 8 7 8 7 9 9 9 8

10 9 58 47 57 39 66 57 72 68 96 88 93 91 93 89 80. 78

74 73 75 72 70 64 66 62 65 60 59 55 65 68 78 72 72 70

6 5 8 8

10 9 8 8 7 8 7 7 6 5 7 7 7

40 36 48 55 76 84 77 68 66 63 57 54 52 47 51 58 59

Source: www. wbpcb.gov.in Notes: Figures in parenthesis are Pennissible Limit for Residential areas;

8 7 9 9

11 10 8 8 7 8 7 7 7 7 8 9 9

53 43 56 59 80 86 84 73 67 65 61 58 57 50 55 64 65

I \

Though strict comparison at point-to-point basis with the 1999 study is

not technically admissible among the locations, it is observed that the

average for the residential locations in 2004-05 is higher than that in

1999, indicating greater level of pollution in spite of technological

70

improvements like imposition of BS-II norms for vehicles. This was the

first indication that the industrialisation drive of post-2000 period was

also associated with rising environmental damages in the locality.

The impact of new industrial units on the air pollution level in Durgapur

will be more clear if we look at the level of pollutants in 2009-2010 period

as obtained from the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations of WBPCB

located at four locations of the city - Angadpur, Bhiringi-Benachiti,

Bidhannagar, and PCBL More (Table 5.03 and 5.04).

It is evident that for most of the pollutants, the peak levels were reached

in the winter months of 2009. The results, when averaged for the city as

a whole, also provide similar trends (Table 5.05 and Fig 5.01 - 5.06).

Central Pollution Control Board, in its Annual Report of 2008-09 had

co~mented that the ambient air quality of Durgapur city was Highly

Critical in terms of SPM, Moderately Critical in terms of NOx and

RSPM, and Low Critic:e&l (non-critical) for SOx (CPCB, 2009). It is thus

amply clear that the industrialisation process during the post-2000

period has been associated with increasing air pollution levels in the city

of Durgapur.

The situation appears to be starker if we look at the district average of

ambient air quality during the 2006-2011 period alongside those from

Durgapur (Table 5.06).

The marginally declining trend during late 2010 was perhaps a result of

increased resentment among local residents, and growing concern among

the authorities about pollution levels in the region leading to stricter

norms being imposed.

71

Table5.05 Trends in Pollution in Durga~ur -1999-2010 (in~} - B! Seasons

Season Year Pollutants

SPM RSPM SOx NOx 1999 na na na na

Summer 2004 197.5 78.8 10.3 41.2 2009 313.0 127.0 7.6 55.0 2010 265.7 119.8 8.2 69.1 1999 na na na na

Monsoon 2004 105.3 49.2 9.0 38.9 2009 198.0 90.0 7.8 49.5 2010 145.9 63.4 7.4 59.3 1999 249.9 na 9.4 75.2

Post Monsoon 2004 162.0 73.8 6.1 35.5 2009 261.4 125.1 7.8 50.3 2010 222.8 103.9 7.5 56.3 1999 397.4 na 20.5 52.1

Winter 2004 379.5 189.7 8.2 56.0

2009 606.9 292.9 10.2 80.7 2010 410.6 195.1 8.5 67.3

Source: Author's calculation based on earlier tables Notes: Figures are monthly averages of daily readings; maximum values reached

during the month are higher;

Table 5.06 Trends in Pollution in Durgapur -1999-2010 (in u..) -Annual Average

Year Durgapur Burdwan District

2005 2009 2010

SPM SOx NOx SPM SOx NOx 211.1 8.4 42.9 97.30 6.51 47.37 344.8 8.4 58.9 161.10 9.27 59.96 261.3 7.9 63.0 146.46 8.21 65.24

Source: www.wbpcb.gov.in Notes: Figures are annual averages of daily readings; maximum values reached

during the year are higher;

It can thus be inferred that the air pollution level in Durgapur has been

increasing in the past decade - the period matching with the growth of

new industrial units in the locality. This is expected as the nature of the

units coming up, their product mix, and technology involved all are

pollution intensive. It would therefore be prudent to estimate the costs of

such air pollution and compare that with the perceived benefits of the

industrialisation process. For that purpose we have undertaken a field

survey in selected locations of Durgapur with a structured questionnaire,

results of which are discussed in the next chapter.

72

500 +------------------------------------------------

400 +-------------------------------------------

300 +----

200

100

0

Summer Monsoon Post Monsoon

Source: Author's calculation based on earlier tables

Winter

90 .--------..--.-n~~--.. --~------------~--------------1

80 +------------------------------------------------70 +---------==~----------------

60 +-------

50 +----

40

30

20

10

0

Summer Monsoon Post Monsoon

Source: Author 's calculation based on earlier tables

Winter

73

25 .-------~~-.-..-~------~--------~~------------~ rgapur-• 1999 • 2004 • 2009 • 2010

20 +-----------------------------------------

15 +-----------------------------------------

10

5

0

Summer Monsoon Post Monsoon Winter

Source: Author's calculation based on earlier tables

90 .--------..--.-n~~------~----------~~----------~

80 T----------------------------------------------70 +----------==----------------

60 +-------

50 +-----

40

30

20

10

0

Summer Monsoon Post Monsoon

Source: Author 's calculation based on earlier tables

Winter

74

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