Anthropocene Air Quality Impact on the Kolkata People

Abstract

Air quality is a significant concern globally, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Kolkata, pollution-wise the 2nd largest, fast-growing metropolis in India. The present study correlates to Kolkata city during the pre-Anthropocene (the 1950s) and the concurrent air quality related to human health. Investigating the impact of anthropogenic activities on air quality in Calcutta and Kolkata is relevant to understanding public health risks and environmental sustainability. The portrayal of the current air pollutants, causes, classification and measuring apparatuses recommended by the India Meteorological Department, collected from WBPCB, the levels of the parameters such as. Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), CO, CO2, NO2, O3 and SO2 etc. and analysed statistically. Air pollution has outnumbered the fatalities of other polluting agents such as waterborne, waste, radiation, and anthropogenic players in the 21st century. The novel insights into the specific effects of anthropogenic activities on air quality in Kolkata are the vulnerabilities of transportation, industry, meteorological and slum activities that are valuable. The vulnerabilities that distract ambient air quality indices have reached critical levels of air pollutants, especially particulate matter, GHG gases and NO2.  Different zones in the city are residential, commercial, shanty towns, and industrial areas. Results show levels of pollution are different in each area. Seasonal considered, the winter season is found to have the highest distraction from ambient air quality. Some suitable measures are conceptualised that will mitigate the menace of air pollution to pave the way for bringing sustainable urban health and environment development to Greater Kolkata.