Score:
9.5/15
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Topper’s Copy
GS3
Science & Technology
15 marks
Discuss the effectiveness and limitations of chemical dust suppressants as a measure to control particulate matter pollution in urban areas like Delhi.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Effectiveness of chemical dust suppressants in controlling PM pollution
- Limitations of chemical dust suppressants
- Context-specific analysis for urban areas like Delhi
What you wrote:
Under the study commissioned by CPCB in 2018, EPRI and NEERI found chemical dust suppressants 50-60% more effective than water in reducing particulate matter, although not free from some limitations.
Under the study commissioned by CPCB in 2018, EPRI and NEERI found chemical dust suppressants 50-60% more effective than water in reducing particulate matter, although not free from some limitations.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could briefly contextualize Delhi's PM pollution crisis (e.g., Delhi's PM2.5 levels often exceed WHO limits by 10-15 times during winter, ranking it among the world's most polluted capitals) to strengthen relevance.
What you wrote:
Effectiveness of Chemical Dust Suppressants
(i) Hygroscopic salts like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc. absorbs moisture from the air due to which dust get settled down.
(ii) Polymers like vinyl acetate, acrylic, etc. forms a durable and flexible film which keeps the dusts down and lock.
(iii) Trials in Delhi during October 2018 showed dropping dust levels by 30% within 6 hours of using chemicals.
(iv) Conventional methods like sprinkling water and usage of anti-smog guns usage fresh water at the rate of 40-200 litre per minute, which is difficult to provide in a city like Delhi due to its huge domestic water demands, whereas chemical suppressants requires very less amount of water when compared.
Effectiveness of Chemical Dust Suppressants
(i) Hygroscopic salts like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc. absorbs moisture from the air due to which dust get settled down.
(ii) Polymers like vinyl acetate, acrylic, etc. forms a durable and flexible film which keeps the dusts down and lock.
(iii) Trials in Delhi during October 2018 showed dropping dust levels by 30% within 6 hours of using chemicals.
(iv) Conventional methods like sprinkling water and usage of anti-smog guns usage fresh water at the rate of 40-200 litre per minute, which is difficult to provide in a city like Delhi due to its huge domestic water demands, whereas chemical suppressants requires very less amount of water when compared.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add cost-effectiveness comparison (e.g., chemical suppressants cost ₹8-12 per square meter versus ₹2-3 for water sprinkling, but provide longer-lasting results reducing reapplication frequency).
- Can mention specific application scenarios where effectiveness is maximum (e.g., construction sites contributing 30% of Delhi's PM10 load, unpaved roads in peripheral areas).
What you wrote:
Limitations Associated
(i) Experts of CSIR-NEERI suggests that chemical suppressants are not economical due to their limited usage frequency of once every 6 hours.
(ii) 2018 trials showed that it can negatively impact soil quality, ground-water and vegetation.
(iii) Excessive and repetitive usage can cause mild respiratory or skin irritation.
(iv) Can cause longer term soil and water impacts.
Limitations Associated
(i) Experts of CSIR-NEERI suggests that chemical suppressants are not economical due to their limited usage frequency of once every 6 hours.
(ii) 2018 trials showed that it can negatively impact soil quality, ground-water and vegetation.
(iii) Excessive and repetitive usage can cause mild respiratory or skin irritation.
(iv) Can cause longer term soil and water impacts.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could discuss operational challenges (e.g., requires specialized equipment and trained personnel, limiting scalability across Delhi's 1,484 sq km area).
- Can add regulatory gaps (e.g., absence of standardized protocols under CPCB's Graded Response Action Plan for suppressant usage, leading to arbitrary application).
What you wrote:
Particulate Matter Pollution in urban areas like Delhi is a cause of great concern and use of chemical dust suppressants are welcoming steps but it can be carefully monitored along with its regulated use, need to find eco-friendly alternatives like more vegetation plantation, dealing with root causes like factory waste, untreated waste, etc. To reduce pollution, a holistic and comprehensive plan is need of hour.
Particulate Matter Pollution in urban areas like Delhi is a cause of great concern and use of chemical dust suppressants are welcoming steps but it can be carefully monitored along with its regulated use, need to find eco-friendly alternatives like more vegetation plantation, dealing with root causes like factory waste, untreated waste, etc. To reduce pollution, a holistic and comprehensive plan is need of hour.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could recommend integration with multi-pronged strategies (e.g., mandatory use of bio-based suppressants like lignosulfonates derived from paper industry byproducts at construction sites >5,000 sq m under DPCC norms, coupled with real-time air quality monitoring).
Well-structured answer with strong empirical backing (CPCB study, trial data) and clear mechanism explanation. However, misses critical limitations like seasonal variability and regulatory gaps. Conclusion needs sharper focus on chemical suppressants rather than generic pollution control measures. (Word count: ~292)
Demand of the Question
- Effectiveness of chemical dust suppressants in controlling PM pollution
- Limitations of chemical dust suppressants
- Context-specific analysis for urban areas like Delhi
What you wrote:
Under the study commissioned by CPCB in 2018, EPRI and NEERI found chemical dust suppressants 50-60% more effective than water in reducing particulate matter, although not free from some limitations.
Under the study commissioned by CPCB in 2018, EPRI and NEERI found chemical dust suppressants 50-60% more effective than water in reducing particulate matter, although not free from some limitations.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could briefly contextualize Delhi's PM pollution crisis (e.g., Delhi's PM2.5 levels often exceed WHO limits by 10-15 times during winter, ranking it among the world's most polluted capitals) to strengthen relevance.
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