Stubble Burning: Health and Environmental Effects and Management Techniques

Abstract

Stubble burning has been identified as a major source of air pollution, particularly in South Asia. It is a major producer of gaseous pollutants like as carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), sulphur oxides (SO_x), and methane (CH₄), as well as particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5), which cause considerable harm to human health and the environment. According to reports, burning 63 Mt of agricultural stubble emits 3.4 Mt of CO, 0.1 Mt of NO_x, 91 Mt of CO₂, 0.6 Mt of CH₄, and 1.2 Mt of PM into the atmosphere. Due to the extensive rice-wheat rotation system, which creates a considerable quantity of stubble, the situation in India is more austere. It is estimated that around 352 Mt of stubble is created in India each year, with wheat and rice stubble contributing 22% and 34%, respectively. Every year, approximately 84 Mt (23.86%) of the stubble is burned on the field shortly after harvest. Because it corresponds with the burning times, the terrible haze visible over India during the winter season has been related to stubble burning (October-November). Air pollution's health impacts vary from skin and eye irritation to serious neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, lung capacity loss, emphysema, and cancer. It also increases death rates owing to extended exposure to high pollution levels. In addition to affecting air quality, stubble burning has an impact on soil fertility through nutrient degradation, economic growth, and climate.

Keywords- Stubble Burning, Health, Environmental Effects, Management Techniques.