Source of India’s Air Pollution
July 5 , 2025
15 hrs 0 min
35
- Ammonium sulphate is a key secondary pollutant in India’s PM2.5 pollution.
- It forms when sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ammonia (NH₃) react in the air.
- This pollutant makes up around 34% of India’s total PM2.5 levels.
- The main source of SO₂ is coal-fired thermal power plants.
- Over 60% of SO₂ emissions in India come from these plants.
- Only 8% of plants have flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems.
- Pollution is higher near coal plants—2.5 times more within 10 km.
- Even faraway cities are affected due to pollution spreading through air.
- 114 out of 130 polluted cities see over 30% PM2.5 from ammonium sulphate.
- Ammonium nitrate also adds to PM2.5, sometimes up to 50%.

Post Views:
35