NGT sets up joint committee on Bengaluru’s NO2 pollution

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set up a joint committee to investigate the high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution in Bengaluru.

Committee Composition: 

The joint committee includes officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), and the Regional Director of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

This decision was made following a report by Greenpeace India, which highlighted that NO2 levels in Bengaluru in 2023 were twice the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Key Points: 

 Health Impacts: Exposure to high levels of NO2 can lead to asthma, airway inflammation, respiratory irritation, and worsening of existing respiratory conditions.

About NO2 pollution Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a highly reactive and poisonous gas. Key Details: Chemical Properties: Appearance: Reddish-brown gas Odor: Chlorine-like

Sources: Combustion: 

The primary source of NO2 is the combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants, and industrial processes. Stationary Sources: Coal- and gas-fired power plants are major contributors.

Environmental Impact: Acid Rain: 

NO2 reacts with water in the atmosphere to form nitric acid, contributing to acid rain. Photochemical Smog: NO2 plays a key role in the formation of photochemical smog, a reddish-brown haze often seen in urban areas.