Faridabad Pollution Worsens as Ammonium Sulfate Threatens National Air
Faridabad’s air pollution crisis now has a new villain — ammonium sulfate. A recent study found this invisible chemical pollutant contributes to one-third of the city’s deadly PM2.5 levels. Formed through reactions between sulfur dioxide and ammonia, this secondary pollutant is fast becoming a major threat. Experts say India’s clean air programme must evolve to address these hidden dangers now choking urban skies.
The findings highlight the role of ammonium sulfate, a compound formed when emissions from coal and fertiliser combine in the air. While PM2.5 is already known to damage lungs and cause chronic illness, ammonium sulfate makes up nearly 20 micrograms per cubic metre in Faridabad’s PM2.5 profile. This chemical compound is not directly emitted but forms invisibly, making it harder to regulate without coordinated national efforts targeting both SO₂ and ammonia.
The study underscores how pollution from power plants and agriculture doesn’t stop at city borders. Ammonium sulfate travels across regions, worsening urban air quality even where local emissions are controlled. Experts say that without nationwide action, such transboundary pollutants will keep overwhelming non-attainment cities like Faridabad. Local clean-up efforts alone will fall short unless a more holistic air strategy includes secondary pollutants and long-distance emission sources.
Air pollution in India has largely focused on visible dust and PM10, but researchers warn that this focus ignores the most dangerous particles. PM2.5, due to its microscopic size, penetrates deep into the lungs and even enters the bloodstream. Health impacts range from asthma and heart attacks to early death. In Faridabad, repeated failures to meet clean air standards now reflect the growing influence of such invisible, chemical-driven pollutants.
Experts urge authorities to update India’s National Clean Air Programme to include specific strategies for curbing ammonium sulfate. This includes mandating flue-gas desulfurisation in thermal plants, regulating fertiliser use, and managing livestock waste more effectively. Studies have shown these steps can help reduce the chemical reactions that form sulfate particles. A national shift is essential to move beyond visible smoke and tackle the real toxins behind India’s air quality crisis.
Faridabad’s worsening air quality is no longer just a local issue — it’s a national warning. The rise of ammonium sulfate as a dominant pollutant demands a new direction in India’s air policy. Until secondary pollutants are addressed through stricter regulation and smarter strategies, cities will continue to suffer. The haze over Faridabad is a sign of what’s brewing across India’s skies.
