Ozone Levels Double in Several Parts of Delhi, Posing Serious Health Risks

Air pollution has long been a persistent crisis in Delhi. However, a new and dangerous component is increasingly making its presence felt — ozone (O₃). Recent reports from pollution control boards and environmental experts have revealed that ozone levels in several parts of Delhi have doubled compared to the safe limit, especially during the peak summer months. This spike is not only alarming for environmental health but also poses severe risks to human health.

 What Is Ozone and How Is It Formed?

Ozone is a gas found in the Earth’s atmosphere in two distinct layers:

1.    Stratospheric Ozone (Good Ozone): Located high in the atmosphere, this layer protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

2.    Ground-Level Ozone (Bad Ozone): Formed close to the Earth’s surface through chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.

In summer, with higher temperatures and strong sunlight, this bad ozone increases rapidly in urban areas.

 Which Areas in Delhi Are Most Affected?

According to recent reports, ozone levels have shown an alarming 50% to 100% increase in various locations, especially in:

• Anand Vihar
• ITO
• Munirka
• Okhla Phase-2
• Burari and Jahangirpuri

In these areas, daytime ozone concentrations have been measured between 120 to 160 µg/m³, while the safe limit is 100 µg/m³, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 How Does Ozone Affect Health?

Unlike some pollutants that are visible or have a smell, ozone is invisible and odorless, but extremely harmful when inhaled. It directly impacts the respiratory system and can lead to both short-term and long-term health issues.

 Common Health Effects:

• Throat irritation and dry cough
• Shortness of breath and chest tightness
• Aggravation of asthma and bronchitis
• Decreased lung function in children and elderly
• Long-term exposure may cause permanent lung damage

 Vulnerable groups: children, elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

 Why Are Ozone Levels Rising in Delhi?

Several factors are contributing to the rise in ground-level ozone:

• Increased Vehicular Emissions: High traffic volume and fuel combustion release large amounts of NOx and VOCs.
• Industrial Emissions: Factories and power plants release VOCs into the atmosphere.
• Intense Sunlight and High Temperatures: Summer heat accelerates the ozone formation process.
• Reduction in Green Cover: Fewer trees mean less natural filtering of pollutants.

 Precautionary Measures – How to Stay Safe

 Individual Safety Measures:

• Avoid going outdoors between 11 AM to 4 PM during sunny days
• Wear an N95 mask while stepping out
• Use air purifiers at home
• Practice steam inhalation, breathing exercises, and yoga to improve lung health

 Community-Level Actions:

• Promote public transport and carpooling
• Encourage planting more trees and maintaining green belts
• Ensure regular vehicle maintenance
• Monitor and limit industrial emissions

 What Should Authorities Do?

• Set up real-time ozone monitoring stations in vulnerable areas
• Temporarily restrict construction activities during high ozone days
• Enforce strict air quality regulations for factories and vehicles
• Launch awareness campaigns in schools and public institutions

Understand the Ozone Threat Before It’s Too Late

The rising ozone levels in Delhi are not just an environmental concern but a public health emergency in the making. Often underestimated, ground-level ozone is a silent killer that gradually deteriorates our respiratory health. It’s time we act collectively — as citizens and policymakers — to curb this invisible threat before it spirals out of control.