Policy evaluation of ambient air pollution control interventions using satellite data

Abstract

Air pollution affects human health negatively and has a long-term impact on the national and global economy. The major components of polluted air that are released into the atmosphere include nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and suspended particulate matter (SPM). These pollutants not only degrade the air quality but are also serious health hazards, especially in poor and developing countries that use cheap and convenient energy fuels as an energy resource. According to the WHO, in 2012, air pollution has been responsible for nearly 7 million fatalities worldwide.(Mannucci & Franchini, 2017) Additionally, air pollution is responsible for a large chunk of diseases worldwide. Megacities in Asia and India are infamously rank high in air pollution levels at a global scale. In many cities, the pollutant concentrations, especially of fine particulates (PM 2.5) exceed the WHO’s targets as well as the national standards. A case in point concerning this is Delhi, the capital of India. Delhi has been continuously ranked among the major polluted cities in the world for the last several years. As an emergency measure, the Delhi state administration implemented the “Delhi Odd-even” policy for 15 days for the third time in November 13-17,2017. Under this policy, cars with license plates ending in an odd number and even number are allowed to ply on alternate days. Although vehicular rationing or driving restrictions are not new in other parts of the world, the policy came out as frivolous to some, given the simplicity of the idea. In fact, the National Green Tribunal had questioned the rationale of the AAP government in the rollout of the scheme and had directed the Delhi government to submit data or studies based on which it had decided to introduce the oddeven car rationing scheme. (PTI, 2017)