THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- October 1, 2016- Topic 1
The likelihood of at least
600,000 deaths being caused annually in India by fine particulate matter
pollution in the air is cause for worry, even if the data released by the World
Health Organisation are only a modelled estimate. The conclusion that so many
deaths could be attributed to particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in
size is, of course, caveated, since comprehensive measurement of PM2.5 is not
yet being done and the linkages between pollution, disease and deaths need
further study. What is not in doubt is that residents in many urban areas are
forced to breathe unhealthy levels of particulates, and the smallest of these —
PM10 and less — can penetrate and get lodged deep in the lungs. The WHO Global Burden
of Disease study has been working to estimate pollution-linked health impacts,
such as stroke and ischaemic heart disease, acute lower respiratory infection
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Data on fine particulates in India
show that in several locations the pollutants come from burning of biomass,
such as coal, fuel wood, farm litter and cow dung cakes. In highly built-up
areas, construction debris, road dust and vehicular exhaust add to the problem.
The Prime Minister launched an Air Quality Index last year aimed at improving
pollution control. The new data, which the WHO says provide the best evidence
available on the terrible toll taken by particulates, should lead to
intensified action.
A neglected aspect of urban
air pollution control is the virtual discarding of the Construction and
Demolition Waste Management Rules, notified to sustainably manage debris that
is dumped in the cities, creating severe particulate pollution. The Environment
Ministry has highlighted the role that debris can play as a resource. Municipal
and government contracts are, under the rules, required to utilise up to 20 per
cent materials made from construction and demolition waste, and local
authorities must place containers to hold debris. This must be implemented
without delay. Providing cleaner fuels and scientifically designed cookstoves
to those who have no option but to burn biomass, would have a big impact on
reducing particulate matter in the northern and eastern States, which are the
worst-hit during winter, when biomass is also used for heating. Greening the
cities could be made a mission, involving civil society, with a focus on
landscaping open spaces and paving all public areas to reduce dust. These
measures can result in lower PM10 and PM2.5 levels. Comprehensive measurement
of these particulates is currently absent in many cities, a lacuna that needs
to be addressed.
Vocabulary
Attribute: regard something as being caused by (someone or something).
Example: He attributed the firm's success to the efforts of the managing director
Synonyms: ascribe to, assign to, accredit to, credit to, impute
to, put down to, chalk up to
Caveat: a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations.
Example: But it is also liberally sprinkled with caveats and warnings as to the
difficulties in turning up more evidence.
Synonyms: warning, caution, admonition, proviso, condition, stipulation, provision
Breathe: take air into the lungs and then expel it, especially as a regular
physiological process.
Example: She was wheezing as she breathed
Synonyms: respire, draw breath, puff, pant, blow, gasp, wheeze
Ischaemic: Ischemia is a restriction in blood supply to tissues,
causing a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism
Litter: trash, such as paper, cans, and bottles, that is left lying in an open or
public place.
Example: Fines for dropping litter
Synonyms: garbage, refuse, junk, waste, debris, scraps, leavings, fragments
Terrible: extremely or distressingly bad or serious.
Example: A terrible crime
Synonyms: dreadful, awful, appalling, horrific, horrifying, horrible, horrendous
Pulmonary: of or relating to the lungs.
Example: Pulmonary blood flow
Debris: scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed.
Example: The bomb hits it, showering debris from all sides
Synonyms: detritus, refuse, rubbish, waste, litter, scrap, dross, chaff
Pave: cover a piece of ground with concrete, asphalt, stones, or bricks; lay
paving over.
Example: The yard at the front was paved with flagstones
Lacuna: an unfilled space or interval; a gap.
Example: The journal has filled a lacuna in Middle Eastern studies
