- Vehicular pollution is the largest contributor to urban air pollution in India, accounting for 60% of air pollution in 1990, 70% in 2000, and 90% in 2010 according to UNEP. - Vehicular pollution has increased 8 times over the past 20 years while industrial pollution has only increased 4 times. - Vehicular emissions occur at ground level, exposing pedestrians, shopkeepers, and others to high levels of pollution. Traffic police are also severely impacted. - Vehicular pollution is affecting glaciers, public health, and even fetal development, with studies showing risks of birth defects and premature delivery for pregnant women exposed to high traffic pollution levels.

1. Road Traffic Digest No. 3

2. Road Traffic Hazard No. 2 Environmental pollution - - - - The worst ‘side effect’ of explosive growth of vehicles Copy right: tsunamionroads.org

3. Do you know? How much is the contribution of vehicles to total urban air pollution in India? In 1990 - - - 60% of total air pollution In 2000 - - - 70% of total air pollution In 2010 - - - 90% of total air pollution! [acc. to UNEP] www.tsunamionroads.org

4. Copy right: tsunamionroads.org Fact: In last 20 years: industrial pollution has increased only 4 times while vehicular pollution has increased 8 times

5. The worst fact about vehicular pollution is – - - any guesses?? www.tsunamionroads.org

6. - - - - that emission occurs at the ground or breathing level www.tsunamionroads.org

7. - - - While in industrial pollution, emission occurs at a much higher level and that too a little away from habitation Copy right: tsunamionroads.org

8. Pedestrians, hawkers, shopkeepers and two wheeler riders are the main sufferers Copy right: tsunamionroads.org

9. The Traffic Policeman is the w orst sufferer www.tsunamionroads.org

10. www.tsunamionroads.org

11. Use of masks by traffic policemen are not very uncommon these days

12. However, it is extremely shocking when we see this on - - -

13. www.tsunamionroads.org - - - our glaciers We have taken this photograph near Rohtang Pass in HP. It shows a traffic policeman using his handkerchief to protect himself from vehicular pollution. Just behind him one can see glacier.

14. Copy right: tsunamionroads.org - - reason being that during tourist season, everyday around 4000–5000 vehicles are making a round trip from Manali to this glacier [Rohtang pass].

15. Vehicular emission is not sparing even our glaciers ! What more evidence do we need now?

16. in India WHO has confirmed that air pollution causes 5.27 lakhs premature deaths every year www.tsunamionroads.org

17. Urban air pollution is estimated to cost approx. 5% of GDP in developing countries like India [UNEP] or Rs. 30,66,60,00,00,000 are lost in India every year due to urban air pollution T his loss can be directly linked to explosive growth of vehicles in India as at present 90% of urban air pollution is due to motorized vehicles

18. Pollution induced diseases like respiratory problems are 10-12 times more common in metro cities as compared to smaller cities At present 20 -30% population in metro cities is suffering from respiratory diseases

19. Vehicular pollution is affecting right from Pediatric - - - - - - - - www.tsunamionroads.org

20. - - - - - - - to Geriatric population www.tsunamionroads.org

21. More shockingly, even the fetus is not spared by this vehicular pollution www.tsunamionroads.org

22. Studies in USA, china and Australia have shown that pregnant women living near busy roads have more chances of birth defects, fetal growth retardation and premature delivery !! ???? www.tsunamionroads.org

23. Please pay serious attention and don’t let your vehicle victimize this unborn! www.tsunamionroads.org

24. Some more interesting facts about road traffic hazards Follow Wait for the next digests - - - - - www.tsunamionroads.org

25. If you find merit with this message, please forward it to people who can play a good role in solving traffic related hazards in our life. For people who are concerned for traffic related problems like traffic congestion, pollution, road rage, etc and want to avoid road accidents in their and their beloved one’s life, it is requested to visit: Tsunami on Roads: Wake up India! www.tsunamionroads.org http:// tsunamionroads.org/feedback.html

26. Jai Hind