An Analysis of India's Air Feature and Environmental Injustice

Abstract

Despite the fact that India has some of the world’s worst levels of air pollution, the link between air pollution and social disadvantages has not been thoroughly investigated. This study combines fine particulate matter PM2.5 concentration data from satellite observations, a global chemical transport model, and ground-based measurements with district-level socio-demographic data from the 2011 Census of India, using a distributive environmental justice paradigm. After controlling for relevant contextual factors and spatial clustering, the goal of the study is to see if annual average PM_2.5 concentrations (2010) and recent increases in average PM2.5 concentrations (2010–2016) are unequally distributed among socially disadvantaged populations and household groups. In India, more than 85% of individuals and families live in districts where PM_2.5 levels surpass international guidelines. Although PM_2.5 concentrations are much greater in more populated districts, primarily in northern India, less urbanized areas, primarily in southern and central India, have recently seen increases. According to multivariable statistical analysis, higher PM_2.5 concentrations were found in districts with higher percentages of Scheduled Castes (SCs), young children, and households with poor housing conditions and no toilets; and higher PM_2.5 increases were found in less urbanized districts with higher percentages of SCs, females, children, people with disabilities, and households with no toilets. These findings emphasize the need of considering the role of air pollution in amplifying the effects of India's social disadvantages.