Ammonium Sulfate: The Hidden Threat to Faridabad's Air Quality
A recent study reveals that ammonium sulfate, a secondary pollutant, is responsible for a significant portion of Faridabad's PM2.5 levels, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to India's air quality management.
Ammonium SulfateAir PollutionFaridabadPm25Clean Air ProgrammeReal EstateJun 29, 2025
The findings highlight the role of ammonium sulfate, a compound formed when emissions from coal and fertilisers 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ammonium sulfate and how does it contribute to air pollution?
Ammonium sulfate is a chemical compound formed from the reaction of sulfur dioxide and ammonia. It contributes to air pollution by making up a significant portion of PM2.5 levels, which are microscopic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause serious health issues.
Why is ammonium sulfate considered a hidden threat?
Ammonium sulfate is considered a hidden threat because it is not directly emitted but forms invisibly in the atmosphere. This makes it harder to regulate without coordinated national efforts targeting both sulfur dioxide and ammonia emissions.
How does ammonium sulfate travel across regions and affect urban air quality?
Ammonium sulfate can travel across regions due to its gaseous nature. This means that even cities with controlled local emissions can experience worsened air quality due to transboundary pollutants like ammonium sulfate.
What are the health impacts of PM2.5 and ammonium sulfate?
PM2.5 and ammonium sulfate can cause a range of health issues, including asthma, heart attacks, and early death. These particles are microscopic and can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
What steps can be taken to reduce ammonium sulfate levels in the air?
To reduce ammonium sulfate levels, authorities can mandate flue-gas desulfurisation in thermal plants, regulate fertiliser use, and manage livestock waste more effectively. These steps can help reduce the chemical reactions that form sulfate particles.
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