Pollution from open waste burning triples in cities during winter: study, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• A study by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India reveals that open waste burning in Indian cities triples during winter compared to summer.
• The average incidence, quantity of waste burned, and associated emissions are significantly higher in the colder months.
• Tier 2 cities recorded the highest quantities of waste burned, while Tier 3 cities showed the highest winter incidence of burning, averaging 49.6 incidents per square kilometre per day.
• Although open waste burning contributes less than 1% to total citywide PM2.5 and PM10 emissions, it significantly increases short-term exposure to toxic smoke in areas closer to homes and waste dumps.
• The study, conducted from 2019-2026 across 11 polluted Indian cities, found a strong association between higher burning incidence and poorer socio-economic areas, indicating disparities in municipal services.

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Detailed Insights:

• The sharp rise in winter burning is exacerbated by falling temperatures and stagnant atmospheric conditions, which hinder pollutant dispersion.
• Poorer areas in Tier 2 cities recorded the highest incidence of burning, nearly 84 incidents per square kilometre per day, highlighting inequities in waste collection and management.
• Open waste burning releases harmful pollutants such as dioxins, furans, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), posing severe health risks including respiratory disorders, heart disease, and increased cancer risk.
• WRI India is an independent charity focused on providing objective information and practical proposals for environmentally sound and socially equitable development in India.
• India faces significant waste management challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, poor waste segregation at source, and a large proportion of waste being openly dumped or burned.
• Tier 1 cities typically have populations exceeding 10 lakh, Tier 2 cities range from 5 lakh to 10 lakh, and Tier 3 cities have populations between 1 lakh and 5 lakh, based on various classifications.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Open Waste Burning: The uncontrolled combustion of solid waste in open environments, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.
• Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Microscopic solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air; PM2.5 refers to fine particles 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, while PM10 includes particles 10 micrometres or less, both posing significant health risks upon inhalation.
• Temperature Inversion: An atmospheric condition where a layer of warmer air sits above cooler air, trapping pollutants near the ground and preventing their dispersal.