Impact of Air Pollution on Air Quality in Chennai city – a Focus on Health Risk

Abstract

The rapid growth of population in the CMA has been causing a strain on the existing urban services and infrastructure, for want of expansion and better management. The transport sector is vital and needs carefully planned expansion to meet the demands of the increasing population. The need to take an integrated long- term view of transport needs of CMA and to plan road development, public transport services and suburban rail transport as a part of the urban planning process have been well recognized as essential  for the efficient functioning of the urban system. The urban population in Chennai city is expected to increase tremendously by 2030.
The City faces severe problem of congestion due to runaway growth of personalized vehicles. The traffic management in the City is marked by introduction of a series of oneway traffic system. Traffic control devices, traffic signs and road markings are not adequately maintained to retain their legibility and visibility. Inadequate enforcement of traffic rules, lack of road sense and restraint by road-users and insufficient regulatory measures characterize the present situation. Air Pollution due to vehicular emission has done a lot of harm to the environment and environment changes. “Air pollution and population health” is one of the most important environmental and public health issues. Economic development, urbanization, energy consumption, transportation /motorization, and rapid population growth are major driving forces of air pollution in large cities, especially in mega cities. A study conducted in Chennai City showed similar health effects on mortality associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2). In conclusion, ambient air pollution is a health hazard. It is more important for cities in developing countries within the context of pollution level and population density. Improving air quality has substantial, measurable and important public health benefits.