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Jodhpur, 21 May (HS). Air pollution remains a serious global challenge, having a serious impact on the health of millions of people around the world. Taking an important step towards drawing the world's attention towards this issue, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have published an important research in the Nature Communications journal, in which the sources of particulate matter harmful to human health in North India have been identified. And the structure is highlighted.
Dr Deepika Bhattu, co-professor and lead author of the article, says that contrary to the common belief that reducing overall PM mass will reduce health impacts, this comprehensive study looks at local inefficient combustion processes such as biomass and fossil fuels. Highlights the importance of addressing the burning of particulate matter, including traffic emissions, to effectively reduce health risks related to particulate matter and their associated impacts in North India. The study addresses three important scientific questions that Indian policymakers need to consider in formulating a data-based, effective mitigation strategy under the National Clean Air Programme. This includes identification of fine PM (PM 2.5) sources and their full contribution, as well as unprecedented clarity between their local and regional geographic origins, a broad and clear distinction between directly emitted PM and PM formed in the atmosphere, and local emissions within the study area. and determining the harmfulness of PM by correlating its oxidative capacity with regional sources.
Taking advantage of advanced aerosol mass spectrometry technology and the power of data analytics, the study was conducted at five Indo-Gangetic plain sites in and outside Delhi and found that although uniformly high PM concentrations are present across the region, they said. But there is considerable variation in chemical composition due to local emission sources and manufacturing processes, which dominate PM pollution. Inside Delhi, ammonium chloride and organic aerosols generated directly from traffic exhaust, residential heating and oxidation products of fossil fuel emissions produced in the atmosphere dominate PM pollution. In contrast, outside Delhi, ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate, as well as secondary organic aerosols from vapors from biomass burning, are the major contributors. However, regardless of location, the study highlighted that organic aerosols from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, including traffic emissions, are major contributors to PM oxidative capacity, potentially contributing to PM-associated health risks in the region. Enhances the effects. Surprising findings have emerged after comparing the oxidative capacity of Indian PM 2.5. The oxidative capacity of Indian PM is up to five times that of Chinese and European cities, making it one of the highest oxidative capacities present globally.
Dr Deepika Bhattu stressed that tackling India's air pollution crisis requires collaboration between local communities and stakeholders as well as social change, especially in densely populated urban areas like Delhi. Moving forward, concerted sustainable efforts are needed that promote clean energy sources, improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions from transportation primarily from fleets of old, overloaded and inefficient vehicles and eliminating unauthorized Jugaad vehicles. . This study provides valuable insights for evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at protecting public health and the environment for future generations.
