Delhi Air Pollution
According to the study conducted on Tuesday, Air pollution in Delhi is worst during winter season. The research was jointly conducted by the University of Birmingham (Britain), the Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi, the Central Road Research Institute (India), and the Desert Research Institute (US). The study is to assist in the development of targeted policy instruments in order to air pollution.With the onset of cold weather, residents are highly unveiled to compelling higher levels of air pollutants in Delhi during winter season as compared to summer season.
According to researchers, air samples were collected adjacent to a heavy traffic site on Mathura Road, area highly influenced by industrial emissions in Delhi in the mid of June & December 2013 and January 2014.
It was found that for average 12 hours, concentrations of fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter were significantly higher in winter than the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard in India. Harmful components that was present in high concentrations lead, zinc and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
The study further said that the particles are associated with several respiratory associated diseases like bronchitis and asthma, and they can also cause inflammation and exacerbate cardiovascular diseases. The quantitative analysis shows that sources of particulate matter include dust, soil and carbon emissions from coal, vehicles, wood and other waste burning.
Dust and soil level in the air rise in summer when temperatures are high with minimal rainfall. However, in winter season, when people use wood and other substances for warming up, low temperature associated with little wind can lead to accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere.
According to Pallavi Pant, a researcher at University of Birmingham, “This is an intriguing piece of research and we are sanguine that this data will support in preparation of action plans for air pollution control”.