Sulfur Dioxide Emission in India

Why in news?

• Recently, the Ministry of Power has informed Lok Sabha that, for compliance with Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission norms, Thermal Power Plants are installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) equipment.
• The Ministry in 2022 had extended the deadline for Coal-Fired power plants to install FGD to cut sulphur emissions by two years.

About Sulfur Dioxide Pollution:

• The largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.
• Smaller sources of SO2 emissions include industrial processes such as extracting metal from ore, natural sources such as volcanoes, and locomotives, ships and other vehicles.

Impact of Sulfur Dioxide Pollution:

• Short-term exposures to SO2 can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult. People with asthma, particularly children, are sensitive to these effects of SO2.
• The WHO has estimated that it causes 4.2 million deaths globally per year.
• SO2 emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO2 in the air generally also lead to the formation of other sulfur oxides (SOx).
• SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles. These particles contribute to Particulate Matter (PM) pollution.

About Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD):

• FGD is the process of removing sulfur compounds from the exhaust emissions of fossil-fueled power stations.
• This is done through the addition of absorbents, which can remove up to 95% of the sulphur dioxide from the flue gas.
• Flue gas is the material emitted when fossil fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas, or wood are burned for heat or power.

Why is it important to install FGD plants in India?

• India continues to occupy the top spot among SO2 emitters. In 2019, India emitted 21% of global anthropogenic (human-made) SO2 emissions nearly double that of the second-ranked global emitter, Russia.
• Thermal utilities which produce 75% of the country’s power, account for some 80% of industrial emissions of sulphur and nitrous oxides, which cause lung diseases, acid rain and smog.
• The high levels of damaging SO2 pollution in India are avoidable much sooner as FGD systems have proved successful in reducing emission levels in China, the country responsible for the highest level in 2005.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements:

1. India is the largest anthropogenic sulfur dioxide emitter in the world

2. In India, coal-fired power plants need to mandatorily install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) to cut sulphur emissions

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer