Air pollution remains a pressing global concern, with profound health implications affecting millions worldwide. In a significant stride toward tackling this issue, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have conducted groundbreaking research, shedding light on the sources and composition of particulate matter (PM) in Northern India. Published in the prestigious Nature Communications journal, their study provides crucial insights into the complexities of PM pollution and its health impacts in the region.
Contrary to common beliefs, the study challenges the notion that reducing overall PM mass alone would mitigate health impacts effectively. Dr. Deepika Bhattu, Associate Professor and lead author of the article, highlights the significance of addressing local inefficient combustion processes, such as biomass and fossil fuel burning, including traffic exhaust, to reduce PM-related health exposure effectively.
The research addresses three critical scientific questions essential for informing policymakers and devising data-driven mitigation strategies under the ongoing National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Firstly, the study identifies sources of fine PM (PM2.5) and their absolute contributions, distinguishing between their local and regional geographical origins with unprecedented clarity.
Secondly, it provides a comprehensive distinction between directly emitted PM and those formed in the atmosphere, a distinction made over a large spatial and temporal scale for the first time.
Lastly, the research determines the harmfulness of PM by correlating its oxidative potential with local and regional sources within the study region.
Leveraging advanced aerosol mass spectrometry techniques and data analytics, the study conducted at five Indo-Gangetic Plain sites reveals significant variations in PM chemical composition across the region. While high PM concentrations are uniform, local emission sources and formation processes dominate PM pollution.
The study underscores that organic aerosols from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, including traffic emissions, are key contributors to PM oxidative potential and associated health effects in the region.
Comparisons of Indian PM2.5 oxidative potential with other regions reveal alarming findings, surpassing that of Chinese and European cities by up to fivefold, marking it among the highest observed globally.
Dr. Deepika Bhattu emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative efforts and societal changes, especially in densely populated urban areas like Delhi. Sustainable measures promoting cleaner energy sources, improved combustion efficiency, and emissions reduction from transportation are imperative.
The study offers valuable insights for evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment. Prioritizing mitigation strategies targeting local inefficient combustion processes is crucial for Northern India’s air quality improvement and public health protection.
