Mumbai is a megacity with a population of over 20 million located on a narrow peninsula on the west coast of India. This most populous city in India is the commercial, financial, and entertainment capital of the country. Mumbai has undergone an economic boom entering the 21st century, moving from reliance on textile manufacturing, to finance and technology. Similar to other large cities in India, Mumbai struggles with pollution.
This article will cover these aspects of Mumbai’s pollution:
Air Pollution in Mumbai
A recent study showed that in the year 2020 alone, 25,000 of Mumbai’s deaths could be attributed to poor air quality. IQ Air’s 2020 Air quality report based on remote monitoring stations found that Mumbai had the 177th worst air quality of 4,744 cities evaluated. The annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Mumbai was found to be 41.3 ug/m3. This average is over eight times the concentration of 5 μg/m3 set as a standard by the World Health Organization.
Although Mumbai is a city well aerated by its coastal location, it still deals with air pollution from the following sources:
- Industrial emissions
- Household fuel burning
- Vehicular emissions
- Dust from unpaved roads
Of these, a study from the System of Air Quality Weather Forcasting and Research found that industrial and power plant emissions accounted for the most air pollution of any other cause listed above, at 36%. Household fuel burning and, surprisingly, dust blown up from unpaved roads also contribute to the high levels of fine particulate matter seen in the area.
Water Pollution in Mumbai
Like other industrialized cities, Mumbai struggles with water pollution in addition to air pollution. Water pollution in Mumbai is caused by:
- Industrial runoff
- Untreated residential sewage
These pollutants affect Mumbai’s rivers, coastlines, and drinking water. Let’s discuss these areas of impact now.
Surface Water
Mumbai has several small rivers, the four major being Dahisar, Mithi, Oshiwara, and Poisar, all of which originate from lakes near the region and end up in the ocean. As they flow through Mumbai they become filled with cow manure, industrial runoff, and residential garbage, causing a putrid smell to emanate from them.
Along with the smell also come health issues, the river has been known to spread malaria, dengue, and skin and respiratory diseases. As the rivers flow towards the sea, they bring the pollution with them. This means that Mumbai’s coast has some of the most polluted water in the world–four Mumbai beaches surveyed had an average of 69 plastic items per square meter. Ocean pollution is a major threat to marine biodiversity in the region.
Drinking Water
Drinking water in Mumbai is sourced from several of the lakes in surrounding areas. Generally, the tap water is said to be unsafe to drink and boiling is recommended. Most Mumbai citizens must purchase bottled water from the store for drinking.
However, Mumbai has recently taken steps to improve the quality of its drinking water. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation took daily samples of tap water throughout the city in 2020 and found that only 0.94% of the samples would be considered unsafe to drink by standards set by the World Health Organization.
Land Pollution in Mumbai
Mumbai has intense soil pollution due to improper solid waste management which causes garbage to pile up, and toxins to leak into the soil. Although most garbage generated in the city is brought to landfills, the garbage is not always treated properly. In 2016, a study found that soil surrounding one of Mumbai’s dumping areas contained up to six times the recommended concentration of mercury.
This level of mercury in the soil not only harms plant and animal life, but can also make its way up the food chain to cause nervous system damage in humans. The toxins from garbage also make their way into Mumbai’s lakes and rivers.
Key Takeaways
Air Pollution: Poor air quality largely due to industrial emissions and household burning of coal and wood.
Water Pollution: Mumbai’s four major rivers are all intensely polluted by untreated industrial runoff and sewage and tap water is mostly unsafe to drink. The coast of the city is heavily polluted by plastic.
Land Pollution: Landfills cause extreme soil pollution which can harm wildlife and humans, as well as make its way into the water supply.