PM 2.5 POLLUTION

Source: Down to Earth

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Context

• The study examines 40 years of data on PM2.5 pollution and its health impacts, highlighting significant regional disparities.
• Climate patterns like El Nino exacerbate PM2.5 pollution, causing additional premature deaths, emphasizing the need for climate-aware pollution control.

Details

Key Points

• 5 Pollution Impact:
  • Understanding the health impact of fine particulate matter and its role in premature deaths.
• Climate Variability:
  • Analysis of climate phenomena like El Nino, Indian Ocean Dipole and North Atlantic Oscillation affecting pollution levels.
• Health Data Analysis:
  • Use of satellite data and global health metrics to study pollution-related diseases.
• Geographical Disparities:
  • Identifying regions most affected by air pollution, with a focus on Asia, particularly China and India.
• Public Health Preparedness:
  • Importance of recognizing climate patterns for better healthcare response to pollution-related illnesses.
• Environmental Policies:
  • Need for proactive measures to reduce pollution and its health impacts globally.
• Interdisciplinary Approach:
  • Combining environmental science with public health to tackle pollution challenges.

About El Niño

Definition:

• El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Frequency:

• Occurs irregularly every 2 to 7 years, typically lasting 9 to 12 months.

Global Impact:

• Causes significant changes in weather patterns worldwide, including increased rainfall in the southern United States and Peru, and droughts in Australia and Indonesia.

About Indian Ocean Dipole:

Definition:

• The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a climate phenomenon characterized by differences in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern Indian Ocean.

Positive IOD:

• Warmer sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean and cooler temperatures in the eastern Indian Ocean, leading to altered weather patterns, including reduced rainfall in Australia and increased rainfall in East Africa.

Negative IOD:

• Cooler sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean and warmer temperatures in the eastern Indian Ocean, causing opposite weather effects compared to positive IOD.

Impact on Climate:

• The IOD influences monsoon strength, droughts, floods, and other significant weather events in surrounding regions.

Global Interaction:

• The IOD can interact with other climate phenomena like El Niño, amplifying or moderating their impacts on global weather patterns.

About North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO):

Definition:

• The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a climatic phenomenon characterized by fluctuations in the difference of atmospheric pressure at sea level between the Icelandic Low and the Azores High.
• It influences the strength and direction of westerly winds and storm tracks across the North Atlantic.

Impact on Weather and Climate:

• NAO significantly affects weather patterns and climate in Europe, North America, and North Africa.
• A positive NAO phase brings milder and wetted winters to Northern Europe and the eastern United States, while a negative phase results in colder winters in these regions and wetter conditions in Southern Europe and North Africa.

Relevance to India and Global Climate:

• Although NAO primarily influences the North Atlantic region, its effects can indirectly impact global weather patterns, including the Indian monsoon.
• Understanding NAO is crucial for climate modelling and prediction, making it an important topic for the UPSC syllabus, particularly in subjects like Geography, Environment, and Climate Change.

Sources:

Down to Earth

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following statements about PM2.5 is/are correct? 1. PM2.5 pollution can only originate from natural sources like wildfires and dust storms. 2.PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. 3.Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease and respiratory problems. Choose the correct code from below: A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 Answer: B