Thermal plants emit more pollution than stubble burning: Study
As air quality index (AQI) in Delhi touched 494 mark on Tuesday, a new study revealed that emissions from thermal power plants in Delhi-NCR are causing more pollution than stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said 12 coal-fired power plants in the Delhi-NCR emit sulphur dioxide 240 times greater than stubble burning, which could lead to breathing discomfort and health problems.
It added that thermal plants in NCR emitted 281 kilotonnes of sulphur dioxide between June 2022 and May 2023.
The CREA stated that controlling sulphur dioxide emissions is crucial to reducing secondary particulate formation and its associated health risks.
Despite the health risks, thermal power plants continue to receive leniency by the regulatory authorities for installing flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) systems, which can reduce SO₂ emissions by 64 per cent.
While paddy straw burning causes seasonal spikes, thermal power plants represent a larger, persistent pollution source year-round, underscoring the need for stricter controls on thermal power plant emissions, the study said.
“Sulphur dioxide is a precursor to the formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has been linked to severe health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Long-term exposure is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death. Moreover, SO₂ contributes to the formation of acid rain, which can damage ecosystems and harm aquatic life,” the study said.
India is currently the world’s largest sulphur dioxide emitter, responsible for over 20% of global anthropogenic sulphur dioxide emissions, primarily due to its coal-dependent energy sector.
