Poor air quality in Jamshedpur sparks community action

Jamshedpur: Clean Air Jharkhand has taken a significant step toward combating poor air quality with the launch of its Vayu Veer program. This pioneering initiative empowers youth and women from marginalized and vulnerable communities to lead the fight for cleaner air in Jamshedpur.

The Vayu Veer program, a unique endeavor, aims to involve those most affected by air pollution but often excluded from related discussions. The initiative promotes community participation and has already seen substantial involvement from local residents.

Accompanying the program’s launch was the release of a community-driven citizen science report titled “Month in My Life.” This report provides an in-depth look at personal air quality monitoring conducted by four dedicated Vayu Veers—Rinki Pal, Arpita Soren, Som Kansari, and Varsha—from December 12, 2023, to January 10, 2024. These individuals, hailing from diverse backgrounds and communities within Jamshedpur, recorded alarming levels of air pollution.

Throughout the monitoring period, all four Vayu Veers consistently encountered air quality levels exceeding national standards for PM2.5 (60 µg/m³) and PM10 (100 µg/m³). The highest daily concentration of PM2.5 recorded was a staggering 607 µg/m³ by Som Kansari in Sidhu Kanu Basti. Other significant readings included 267.69 µg/m³ by Arpita Soren, 291.39 µg/m³ by Rinki Pal, and 309.90 µg/m³ by Varsha, all far surpassing the national limits.

Analysis of the data using the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Air Quality Index (AQI) categories revealed that none of the Vayu Veers experienced “Good” or “Satisfactory” air quality. Instead, they faced “Moderate,” “Poor,” “Very Poor,” “Severe,” or even “Beyond Limit” conditions, highlighting the severe health impacts on vulnerable populations.

Dr. Niramal Shukla, a member of Clean Air Jharkhand and Secretary of Mahila Kalyan Samiti, emphasized the importance of community involvement in clean air efforts. “Engaging the most impacted communities is crucial, and the Vayu Veer program focuses on this. Our findings underscore the need for a comprehensive plan to address various pollution sources,” he stated.

Anjali Bose, another member of Clean Air Jharkhand and founder of Mahila Kalyan Samiti, highlighted the ongoing nature of the program. “The Vayu Veers will continue to share their experiences and demands with a broader audience, raising awareness about air pollution and the need for public participation,” she noted.

The Vayu Veers themselves have expressed their commitment to continuing their engagement on clean air. They are calling for increased air quality monitoring, health-based programs addressing air pollution, and public access to air quality data.

The Vayu Veer program exemplifies the potential of community-driven efforts in addressing air pollution. By providing tools and training to marginalized communities, Clean Air Jharkhand aims to bring these voices to the forefront of the air pollution discourse, ensuring a cleaner and healthier future for all.