Aiming to control alarming level of air pollution in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal's government came out with the highly controversial or as being opined as politically motivated formula of odd-even, which allowed only odd-numbered vehicles to ply on odd dates and even-numbered vehicles on even dates. The first phase of the formula was implemented from January 1 to January 15. The second phase of 15 days recently concluded on April 30.
There has been a huge debate over the success or failure of the second phase in political as well as non-political arena. Some reports like one by IndiaSpend claimed that pollution level rose by 23 per cent during the days when odd-even was in effect.
Apparently destroying the claims of massive success of much hyped odd-even scheme the reports claimed that the average PM 2.5 concentration in Delhi’s air was 68.98 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) during the odd-even period, from April 15 to April 29, indicating “moderate” conditions, which increased from 56.17µg/m³, indicating “average” air quality between April 1 and April 14. Similarly, average PM 10 concentration before the odd-even period was 110.04 µg/m³ (April 1 to April 15), rising 22% into the odd-even phase to 134.39µg/m³ (April 15 to April 29), indicating ‘moderate’ air quality.
It is also claimed that during the odd-even period, 7 am was the worst hour in Delhi, based on hourly averages between April 15 and April 29, with PM 2.5 levels indicating “poor” air-quality levels of 124.3μg/m3, a 31% increase (94.67μg/m3) in the hourly average recorded at the same time before the rule was implemented from April 1 to April 14. Evening 5 pm was the best hour for Delhi during the odd-even phase, with PM 2.5 levels at 21μg/m3, indicating “good” air quality.
In the meantime, a study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showed that for every 10 microgram per cubic meter (µg/m3) of increased exposure to PM2.5, the risk of dying from any cancer rose by 22 percent. Increases of 10 µg/m3 of PM2.5 were associated with a 42 percent increased risk of mortality from cancer in the upper digestive tract and a 35 percent increased risk of mortality from accessory digestive organs, which include the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and pancreas.
It doesn't end here, for the women, every 10 µg/m3 increase in exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an 80 percent increased risk of mortality from breast cancer, and men experienced a 36 percent increased risk of dying of lung cancer for every 10 µg/m3 increased exposure to PM2.5.
But countering these pollution rising reports a New Delhi-based NGO, CSE also released its analysis of air quality data during the second phase of odd and even scheme. The analysis surprisingly showed that air pollution took a downward dip during the first 10 days of the scheme, but, registered a sudden spike from April 22 onwards.
CSE further said that the sudden spike could be due to massive crop fires in Punjab and Haryana that started around April 19.
Odd-even scheme has not been experimented for the first time. It was also utilized in other cities across the world. Mexico City started this rule as Hoy no Circula scheme (No Circulating Day) in 1989. The trial implementation during the winter months of 1989 resulted in a 20 percent reduction in daily vehicles in circulation within the target area, an increase in vehicle speeds, drop in fuel consumption and 6.6 percent increase in subway ridership.
Initially, the scheme reduced pollution 11 percent. But, once the rule became permanent, peoplepurchased more vehicles with alternate plates. There was no improvement in long-term air quality levels during any hour of the day or the week. Pollutions levels increased during the weekends and hours of the day when the rule did not apply.
In Paris, similar restrictions were imposed for one day in 1997 and in March 2014. The experiment reduced pollution levels. Beijing implemented a temporary scheme before the 2008 Summer Olympics, cleaning the air and relieving traffic congestion.
In Sao Paulo, the scheme was initially implemented in 1995, as an emergency measure to curb air pollution. An experimental trial of six month showed two percent (morning) and five percent (evening) reduction in peak-period vehicular volumes. The initial experiment was successful in reducing pollution levels, especially carbon monoxide. The odd-even scheme known as Rodizio, was made permanent in 1997.
There has been a huge debate over the success or failure of the second phase in political as well as non-political arena. Some reports like one by IndiaSpend claimed that pollution level rose by 23 per cent during the days when odd-even was in effect.
Apparently destroying the claims of massive success of much hyped odd-even scheme the reports claimed that the average PM 2.5 concentration in Delhi’s air was 68.98 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) during the odd-even period, from April 15 to April 29, indicating “moderate” conditions, which increased from 56.17µg/m³, indicating “average” air quality between April 1 and April 14. Similarly, average PM 10 concentration before the odd-even period was 110.04 µg/m³ (April 1 to April 15), rising 22% into the odd-even phase to 134.39µg/m³ (April 15 to April 29), indicating ‘moderate’ air quality.
It is also claimed that during the odd-even period, 7 am was the worst hour in Delhi, based on hourly averages between April 15 and April 29, with PM 2.5 levels indicating “poor” air-quality levels of 124.3μg/m3, a 31% increase (94.67μg/m3) in the hourly average recorded at the same time before the rule was implemented from April 1 to April 14. Evening 5 pm was the best hour for Delhi during the odd-even phase, with PM 2.5 levels at 21μg/m3, indicating “good” air quality.
In the meantime, a study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showed that for every 10 microgram per cubic meter (µg/m3) of increased exposure to PM2.5, the risk of dying from any cancer rose by 22 percent. Increases of 10 µg/m3 of PM2.5 were associated with a 42 percent increased risk of mortality from cancer in the upper digestive tract and a 35 percent increased risk of mortality from accessory digestive organs, which include the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and pancreas.
It doesn't end here, for the women, every 10 µg/m3 increase in exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an 80 percent increased risk of mortality from breast cancer, and men experienced a 36 percent increased risk of dying of lung cancer for every 10 µg/m3 increased exposure to PM2.5.
But countering these pollution rising reports a New Delhi-based NGO, CSE also released its analysis of air quality data during the second phase of odd and even scheme. The analysis surprisingly showed that air pollution took a downward dip during the first 10 days of the scheme, but, registered a sudden spike from April 22 onwards.
CSE further said that the sudden spike could be due to massive crop fires in Punjab and Haryana that started around April 19.
Odd-even scheme has not been experimented for the first time. It was also utilized in other cities across the world. Mexico City started this rule as Hoy no Circula scheme (No Circulating Day) in 1989. The trial implementation during the winter months of 1989 resulted in a 20 percent reduction in daily vehicles in circulation within the target area, an increase in vehicle speeds, drop in fuel consumption and 6.6 percent increase in subway ridership.
Initially, the scheme reduced pollution 11 percent. But, once the rule became permanent, peoplepurchased more vehicles with alternate plates. There was no improvement in long-term air quality levels during any hour of the day or the week. Pollutions levels increased during the weekends and hours of the day when the rule did not apply.
In Paris, similar restrictions were imposed for one day in 1997 and in March 2014. The experiment reduced pollution levels. Beijing implemented a temporary scheme before the 2008 Summer Olympics, cleaning the air and relieving traffic congestion.
In Sao Paulo, the scheme was initially implemented in 1995, as an emergency measure to curb air pollution. An experimental trial of six month showed two percent (morning) and five percent (evening) reduction in peak-period vehicular volumes. The initial experiment was successful in reducing pollution levels, especially carbon monoxide. The odd-even scheme known as Rodizio, was made permanent in 1997.
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