The study led by researchers at the University of Maryland in the US suggests that India is becoming, if it is not already, the world's top sulphur dioxide emitter. Sulphur dioxide is an air pollutant that causes acid rain, haze and many health-related problems. "The rapid decrease of sulphur dioxide emissions in China far exceeds expectations and projections," said Can Li, an associate research scientist at the University of Maryland. China and India are the world's top consumers of coal, which typically contains up to three per cent sulphur, researchers said. Most of the two countries' sulphur dioxide emissions come from coal-fired power plants and coal-burning factories.

Source: Economic Times November 10, 2017 06:33 UTC