Air Pollution in the Industrial belts of Odisha: Its Health Impacts with Mitigation Measures

Abstract

Introduction: Odisha, a state with a thriving industrial sector, faces a serious problem with industrial air pollution. There have been considerable emissions of dangerous pollutants like particulate matter (PM), Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and more due to explosive growth of industries, including steel, power, cement, and mining. These substances can cause illness, human death, environmental harm to other living things like food crops, as well as harm to the built environment or the natural environment.

Objectives: To study in detail about the pollutants like NO₂, SO₂, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in some industrial belt of Odisha and their impact on public health and to create an awareness among the people about the expenses of these pollutants on the living beings and to mitigate the measures.

Methods: Data of the pollutants selected in the proposed areas are collected through Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), Bhubaneswar and we analysed the result by graphical analysis.

Results: Among all these locations, Brajraj Nagar has the highest average PM_2.5 concentration (47.79 µg/m³) and Beleipada has the highest PM₁₀ concentration (138.60 µg/m3) whereas NO₂ and SO₂ are under control.

Conclusions: To achieve this delicate balance and ensure a cleaner and healthier future for Odisha, there must be cooperation highly essential among government, corporate businesses, academic institutions, industries and civil society.