Development of Ahmedabad's Air Information and Response (AIR) Plan to Protect Public Health

Abstract

Indian cities struggle with some of the highest ambient air pollution levels in the world. While national efforts are building momentum towards concerted action to reduce air pollution, individual cities are taking action on this challenge to protect communities from the many health problems caused by this harmful environmental exposure. In 2017, the city of Ahmedabad launched a regional air pollution monitoring and risk communication project, the Air Information and Response (AIR) Plan. The centerpiece of the plan is an air quality index developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s System for Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research program that summarizes information from 10 new continuous air pollution monitoring stations in the region, each reporting data that can help people avoid harmful exposures and inform policy strategies to achieve cleaner air. This paper focuses on the motivation, development, and implementation of Ahmedabad’s AIR Plan. The project is discussed in terms of its collaborative roots, public health purpose in addressing the grave threat of air pollution (particularly to vulnerable groups), technical aspects in deploying air monitoring technology, and broader goals for the dissemination of an air quality index linked to specific health messages and suggested actions to reduce harmful exposures. The city of Ahmedabad is among the first cities in India where city leaders, state government, and civil society are proactively working together to address the country’s air pollution challenge with a focus on public health. The lessons learned from the development of the AIR Plan serve as a template for other cities aiming to address the heavy burden of air pollution on public health. Effective working relationships are vital since they form the foundation for long-term success and useful knowledge sharing beyond a single city.

Keywords: India; air pollution; climate change; community engagement; environmental education; environmental forecasting; exposure mitigation; risk communication; urban public health; vulnerability.

Figure 1

Flowchart demonstrating the array of stakeholders necessary to disseminate and act on an AQI advisory in Ahmedabad.

Figure 2

IITM-SAFAR AQI air quality descriptors, index value ranges, and associated health messages [64]. AQI levels 301–400 activate a Health Alert in Ahmedabad, while levels 401–500 activate a city-wide Health Warning.

Figure 3

(A) Digital display board of IITM-SAFAR forecast city-wide AQI (one of 12 in Ahmedabad), and (B) A yellow flag at Zebar School for Children indicates an IITM-SAFAR AQI forecast of Moderate air quality (yellow category, AQI 101-200) for the coming day.

Figure 4

Example AIR Plan IEC outreach materials delivered in Gujarati to enhance public awareness on major air pollution sources, including thermal coal-fired power plants.