Air pollution has become a major concern in many big cities and Hyderabad is no exception for that. Generally, industries, automobiles, burning of wood and crop lands are the major contributors of air pollution. In Hyderabad city, the impact of industries and burning of crop lands on air pollution is limited, as most of the industries are located in the city outskirts and the burning of crop lands in outside villages happen very occasionally. However, pollution from automobiles is a continuous process and this has turned out to be the major issue for many breathing problems and other health hazards.

1. Automobiles Becoming Major Contributors for
Air pollution in Hyderabad City

2. Air pollution has become a major concern in many big cities and Hyderabad is
no exception for that. Generally, industries, automobiles, burning of wood
and crop lands are the major contributors of air pollution. In Hyderabad city,
the impact of industries and burning of crop lands on air pollution is limited,
as most of the industries are located in the city outskirts and the burning of
crop lands in outside villages happen very occasionally. However, pollution
from automobiles is a continuous process and this has turned out to be the
major issue for many breathing problems and other health hazards.

3. There is a growing concern over deteriorating air quality and excessive rise of
pollution in Hyderabad, because of rapid increase in the percentage of
privately owned automobiles every year. Some locations in Hyderabad has
dangerous air pollutants beyond the acceptable levels especially in the busy
areas like Paradise, Madhapur, Chikkadapally, Punjagutta, Charminar,
Sanathnagar, Sainikpuri, Kukatpally, Uppal, Nacharam, Jubilee Hills etc. As a
matter of fact, everyone knows it is difficult to bring the atmosphere to zero
pollution, but to some extent we can limit the air contamination by spreading
the awareness among public. As a first step towards it, we have taken
initiation to write this article clearly stating the effects, causes and control
measures of air pollution.

4. Possible effects of air pollution
•Air pollution causes many health issues to the people, commonly related to
breathing and long term exposure can cause hazardous diseases.
•Air pollution and climate change are interconnected with one another. The
main reason for the drastic increase in the temperature levels inside city
limits is due to exhaust gases from the automobiles. The gases form a layer
above earth surface, and this layer of gases allow incoming sunlight to pass
through but trap heat radiated from the earth’s surface. Because of this
reason, people of Hyderabad are experiencing rise in temperatures both in
summer and winter seasons, that is much higher than the normal average
levels.

5. • The exhaust gases from the automobile are usually acidic in nature and
form acids easily when reacted with water. This is the main reason for
acid rains in Hyderabad city during rainy season. These acid rains not only
damage plants in our surroundings but easily cause skin diseases if
exposed. In Hyderabad city, major traffic junctions like Koti, Abids,
Punjagutta, Secundrabad station etc already showed a reduction in the PH
value of rain water. (lesser the PH value of rain water the more acidic it is.
In general PH of rain water is 5.6).

6. How different fuels affect air pollution?
•Catalytic converters are the pollution control devices in automobiles that are
used with internal combustion engines, that help in converting toxic
pollutants into less toxic by catalyzing an oxidation or reduction reaction.
Petrol cars without catalytic converter produce higher level of harmful CO
and oxides of Nitrogen, than diesel cars or petrol cars with catalytic
converter. As most of the petrol cars are fitted with catalytic convertor they
are less responsible for air pollution. Generally, petrol cars produce 120
grams of CO2 for every 1 km.

7. • Diesel cars release higher level of NOX and CO which easily form acids
when mixed with water. Diesel also releases particulate matter. Weight of
CO2 produced in case of diesel is 132 gm for every 1 Km. As most of the
petrol cars are being fitted with catalytic converters, the level of CO2 and
particle matter produced in diesel is high.
• Particle matter in diesel fuel is significantly seen in vehicles with a
problem in an engine or mixing different petroleum fuels.

8. Some measures you can follow to reduce air pollution in city limits
•In Hyderabad city, nearly 87% of the population own private vehicles like a
car or a bike, and some even have multiple vehicles too. Pollution control will
never happen if these many vehicles come on to the road every day. Hence, it
is every ones responsibility to show some concern for environment and start
using public transport at least one or two days per week, so that they reduce
pollution to some extent.

9. • At traffic junctions vehicles come to a halt, but many of them do not turn
off their engines when they are waiting for the signal. This just increases
the level of exhaust gases at these places. It is one of the major reasons
for reduction in PH value of rain water at the most traffic congested
places. So, next time when you halt at a traffic junction, please remember
to turn off the engine.
• CNG gas emits only half portions of the exhaust gases produced by petrol.
So if you have a petrol variant, try to install a CNG kit which not only saves
money on fuel but also helps in reducing pollution.

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