Every breath we take in Delhi carries the weight of a silent but deadly adversary: air pollution. We are no strangers to this urgent crisis that affects our health, environment, and the quality of life. Vehicular emissions stand as one of the leading culprits behind air pollution and while the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate system exists as a beacon of hope, it's time we illuminate its limitations and overhaul the vehicular emission testing system to become more comprehensive!
The problem
When you take your vehicle for a ‘pollution check’ in Delhi, you’re given a PUC certificate that measures the following:
Idling emissions like Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbon
High idling emissions like RPM and Lambda and Smoke Density in the form of light absorption coefficient.
But here’s the issue:
The current system does not measure other crucial pollutants like PM2.5 and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which contribute significantly to air pollution. Measuring levels of PM2.5 is important because these are extremely tiny particles that enter our lungs and even the bloodstream, potentially causing various diseases. By including PM2.5 in PUC testing, we can ensure that vehicles aren't releasing these harmful particles into the air we breathe, making our air healthier.
NOx is a type of pollution that comes from vehicle exhaust and could worsen respiratory trouble. Therefore, measuring this could pave the way for cleaner air!
As a way forward, we urge the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Delhi Transport Department to consider the following demands:
Inclusion of pollutants like PM 2.5 and NOx in the vehicular emission testing system, in addition to existing measurements.
Upgrade existing technology to suit international standards, and to measure a diverse range of pollutants.
Supplement traditional testing with cost-effective sensor-based remote testing systems that will allow cars to get tested without going to a specified testing facility and test their pollutants even while they’re on the move. This could be by the road. Countries like the USA and UK have piloted this technology.
Keeping track of emissions of in-use vehicles can positively impact our fight against air pollution. Join us in a call for change as we demand the inclusion of PM2.5 and NOx, the invisible threat to our well-being, in Delhi's PUC system.
Sign the petition
Source
Every breath we take in Delhi carries the weight of a silent but deadly adversary: air pollution. We are no strangers to this urgent crisis that affects our health, environment, and the quality of life. Vehicular emissions stand as one of the leading culprits behind air pollution and while the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate system exists as a beacon of hope, it's time we illuminate its limitations and overhaul the vehicular emission testing system to become more comprehensive!
The problem
When you take your vehicle for a ‘pollution check’ in Delhi, you’re given a PUC certificate that measures the following:
Idling emissions like Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbon
High idling emissions like RPM and Lambda and Smoke Density in the form of light absorption coefficient.
But here’s the issue:
The current system does not measure other crucial pollutants like PM2.5 and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which contribute significantly to air pollution. Measuring levels of PM2.5 is important because these are extremely tiny particles that enter our lungs and even the bloodstream, potentially causing various diseases. By including PM2.5 in PUC testing, we can ensure that vehicles aren't releasing these harmful particles into the air we breathe, making our air healthier.
NOx is a type of pollution that comes from vehicle exhaust and could worsen respiratory trouble. Therefore, measuring this could pave the way for cleaner air!
As a way forward, we urge the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Delhi Transport Department to consider the following demands:
Inclusion of pollutants like PM 2.5 and NOx in the vehicular emission testing system, in addition to existing measurements.
Upgrade existing technology to suit international standards, and to measure a diverse range of pollutants.
Supplement traditional testing with cost-effective sensor-based remote testing systems that will allow cars to get tested without going to a specified testing facility and test their pollutants even while they’re on the move. This could be by the road. Countries like the USA and UK have piloted this technology.
Keeping track of emissions of in-use vehicles can positively impact our fight against air pollution. Join us in a call for change as we demand the inclusion of PM2.5 and NOx, the invisible threat to our well-being, in Delhi's PUC system.
Sign the petition
Source