Autos running on adulterated fuel causing concern

Autos running on adulterated fuel causing concern

The Hindu

Such fuel results in emissions containing carbon monoxide, sulphur, sulphur dioxide and lead

# Care for Air campaign launched
# Initiative is to create awareness on pollution
# Polluted air is major cause for global warming
# Training is being given to students on measures to reduce pollution

Bangalore: Pollution should be considered a crime and action should be taken against those who are responsible for it.

The Transport Department and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board have to chart out measures for prevention and control of pollution in Bangalore city.

The President of Eco Watch, Suresh Heblikar, told The Hindu that there is a need for more emphasis on vehicle emission control.

Autorickshaws running on adulterated fuel are causing concern. Diesel and petrol are mixed with kerosene and used engine oils.

Oil is extracted when four-wheelers are taken to garage. Yet another source for used oil adulteration is factories that use oil. Besides recycled oil, thinners and lubricants are used for adulteration.

This means these vehicles emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulphur, sulphur dioxide and lead. Besides toxic minute particulate matter has become hazardous to human health.

Eco Watch Foundation in association with Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Transport Department, All India Radio, Philips, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, MICO-BOSCH, Centre for Environment Education, Max Mueller Bhavan, Environment and Health Foundation, Indian Society for Environmental Studies and the Energy Research Institute have initiated a campaign under the theme "Care for Air" to create awareness on pollution.

Polluted air is the major cause of global warming. The high number of vehicles has led to diminishing green cover in the city and vehicular pollution has become a serious health issue. Hence, Eco Watch in association with the Transport Department and KSPCB will conduct vehicular emission checks across the city.

Air Quality Monitoring training will be provided to students where they will learn the techniques and methods involved in studying the quality of air, levels of pollution, ambient air quality and also about the possible measures to reduce air pollution.

Under the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM) network, three air pollutants — suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide — have been identified for regular monitoring across the city.

According to Rajesh, pulmonologist, hydrocarbons emitted by automobiles are toxic and react with haemoglobin in the blood.

The effect of nitrogen is adverse and in most of the cases permanent. It increases children's susceptibility to diseases such as influenza. Sulphur dioxide in the air spreads air acidity and corrodes buildings. It causes irritation to the respiratory systems.

Heart may be damaged by air pollution. Nitrogen dioxide results in pulmonary oedema and aggravation of coronary disease. Toxic effects of lead pollution include impaired IQ development defects in children.