Latest news with #PM2.5
NDTV
3 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'Clean Air Zone' Trial To Be Launched In Delhi's Nehru Park
New Delhi: In a step towards exploring science-driven solutions for cleaning Delhi's air, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and PWD Minister and area MLA Parvesh Verma on Sunday visited Nehru Park to review the feasibility of creating a pilot Clean Air Zone. The Delhi government is evaluating whether the installation of outdoor air purifiers across public parks can create micro-climates of significantly cleaner air, particularly during increased AQI days, said Sirsa. He said the pilot project is part of a larger exploratory study that could lead to Delhi's first Clean Air Zone, if found viable. Similar Clean Air Zones could be considered at Connaught Place, Khan Market, and other high-footfall locations. "These would be undertaken via Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships to avoid burdening public finances," the minister said. "We are conducting a study. The technology has shown promise in limited applications, and we want to understand whether it can work across larger green zones like Nehru Park. We aim to ask people if the technology is fit to work or not in their feedback," said Sirsa. "This is part of a proactive approach - testing innovation before scale, and only where it truly benefits people," he said. The 85-acre Nehru Park has been identified as a potential pilot site where 150 advanced air purification machines may be installed, subject to further analysis. These machines, already tested at select locations such as ISBTs and petrol stations, have previously demonstrated a capacity to reduce PM 2.5 levels in localised environments. Parvesh Verma, PWD Minister who is also the area MLA, underscored the government's commitment to holistic infrastructure and environment upgrades. "The Delhi Government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, is working tirelessly to transform the capital. I want to thank the Prime Minister for the Rs 1,000 crore aid provided to rebuild, repair and upgrade Delhi's roads and infrastructure," he said. "Sirsa is constantly on the ground, personally overseeing every development and pollution-control effort. His commitment is unwavering. Together, this government is working day and night to fulfil the PM's dream of a Viksit Delhi," he said. Senior officials from the Environment Department, NDMC, and PWD accompanied the ministers during the site inspection, which included interaction with morning walkers and joggers to gather feedback. The study aims to determine whether such technology can consistently lower AQI levels by up to 50 per cent within designated areas and thus enable safer use of public spaces throughout the year. Each proposed purifier is over 9 feet tall and uses advanced filtration technology to capture harmful PM 2.5 particles. If implemented in the future, these could cover a 400-600 square meter radius and offer year-round relief to walkers, joggers, and children using the park. However, deployment will depend entirely on the results of this technical and environmental feasibility study currently being conducted, said an official.
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Stubble burning behind nearly one-third of Delhi's post-monsoon pollution deaths: Study
Smoke from crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana is responsible for nearly one-third of all PM2.5-related deaths in Delhi during the post-monsoon season, according to a new international study. The research found that this smoke—transported over hundreds of kilometres—became the dominant share of organic aerosols, accounting for almost half of it during the worst post-monsoon haze episodes, even surpassing traffic or industrial pollution. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that has a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller. These tiny particles are a major component of air pollution and can pose significant health risks because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. The study, published earlier this month in the journal Environment International, is the first to use year-long, near-molecular-level data to identify specific sources of organic aerosols in Delhi and Kanpur. Scientists from the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, IIT Delhi, and IIT Kanpur monitored pollution levels over 12 months in both cities and concluded that smoke from agricultural fires, primarily rice stubble, has a significant health impact. In Delhi, they found that during October and November, smoke from crop fires contributed to 32 per cent of premature deaths caused by PM2.5 exposure. Overall, short-term exposure to PM2.5—tiny particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream—was linked to about 6 per cent of all deaths annually in both cities. In Delhi, nearly half of this health burden came from organic aerosols. The study estimates that more than 1,000 premature deaths in Delhi during the post-monsoon period were tied to this transported smoke, referred to as AgrOA. 'Transported rural fire smokes remain a major detrimental factor threatening public health, despite intensive urban emissions,' the researchers noted. The data also revealed that AgrOA was the largest single component of particulate matter during peak smog events, contributing up to 70 per cent of the organic aerosol load in Kanpur and nearly 50 per cent in Delhi. While urban sources like traffic emissions, industrial waste, and biomass burning remain major contributors throughout the year, these were surpassed by crop-burning smoke during November's haze. Interestingly, the study found that Kanpur—despite being located over 600 kilometres from the fire zones—experienced an even higher impact. Researchers said the smoke had more time to age chemically as it travelled east, making it even more toxic by the time it reached Kanpur. There, AgrOA was linked to 53 per cent of PM2.5-related deaths during the post-monsoon season. The researchers also highlighted the increased health risks for vulnerable groups. Based on global data, the study estimates that women and the elderly face disproportionately higher mortality risks from exposure to crop-burning smoke. For women, AgrOA was estimated to be responsible for up to 67 per cent of pollution-related deaths in Kanpur and 46 per cent in Delhi during the post-monsoon period. In addition to AgrOA, the researchers identified other key sources of pollution. In Delhi, a winter-specific industrial pollution signature was observed, linked to chemicals like melamine used in plastics and e-waste recycling. These emissions spike in colder months when pollutants remain trapped close to the ground. Traffic and cooking-related emissions also made up a significant share of organic aerosols in both cities. However, the researchers emphasised that city-level pollution control will not be enough. 'Mitigation measures should extend beyond cities to regional scales, targeting regions particularly affected by stubble fires like Punjab and Haryana,' they wrote. The study recommends strengthening bans on open burning, promoting machines like the Happy Seeder for in-situ straw management, offering incentives for using straw as fertiliser or fuel and encouraging farmers to adopt low-residue or alternative crops. The findings underline the urgent need for coordinated action across states and sectors. For Delhi, which has struggled for years with severe winter smog, the study confirms that efforts to clean the city's air must also include stopping crop fires outside its borders. 'These findings illustrate the urgent and critical need for regional cooperative air pollution mitigation strategies, accounting not only for urban emissions but also for stubble residue burning emissions,' the study noted.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Ammonium sulfate contributes to one-third of Faridabad's PM2.5 pollution
Gurgaon: Ammonium sulfate is responsible for a staggering one-third of Faridabad's PM2.5 concentration, according to a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), which underlined the need for National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to take a closer look at the secondary pollutant. Ammonium sulfate forms insidiously in the atmosphere through chemical reactions between sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and ammonia (NH₃). CREA's analysis reveals that this pollutant, averaging 19.76 µg/m³ out of a total PM2.5 level of 58.28 µg/m³ of Faridabad mean data, is prevalent across nearly all NCAP cities, irrespective of their proximity to major emission sources, therefore showing the need for a unified national strategy. NCAP primarily targets PM10. However, PM2.5 poses great danger to human health, its smaller size allowing it to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The health impacts are severe, ranging from increased risk of premature death, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and even lung cancer. Faridabad's designation as the sole 'non-attainment' city in Haryana under the NCAP highlights its consistent failure to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo These precursor gases are commonly spewed from coal-fired thermal power plants, agricultural fertiliser use and livestock waste — sources that often extend far beyond city limits. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The new study further highlights the complex challenges cities are facing. The transboundary nature of ammonium sulfate pollution means that local emission controls, while necessary, are insufficient on their own. A comprehensive, national approach is imperative to tackle this pervasive and deadly component of India's air pollution crisis, ensuring cleaner air for all its citizens. "To make real progress, NCAP must evolve to include targeted measures for reducing secondary pollutants," said Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA, adding that city and state-level clean air action plans must explicitly tackle major sources of precursor gases. Kumar also emphasised the importance of source-specific strategies, such as installing flue-gas desulfurisation units in coal-fired power plants to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, promoting efficient fertiliser management to curb ammonia release and ensuring strict compliance with existing emission norms across all polluting sectors. The study serves as a wake-up call for policymakers to recalibrate India's clean air strategy, shifting focus from just visible dust to invisible but deadly chemical reactions that are silently poisoning the air. "In addition to ammonium sulfate, other secondary pollutants like ammonium nitrate also contribute significantly to PM2.5 mass. In fact, secondary particles can account for up to 50% of total PM2.5 mass, according to an IIT study which triggered our analysis. The IIT study found that even beyond 200km of a thermal plant, sulfate concentrations were found," he added. Experts also pointed out that the air pollution crisis in cities like Faridabad might not improve until the govt takes all parameters into account. "The dominance of ammonium sulfate in Faridabad's PM2.5 profile is a stark reminder that India's air pollution crisis is no longer just about visible smoke or dust. It's about invisible chemical transformations driven by coal and fertiliser emissions. Without a strategic shift to tackle secondary pollutants and precursor gases, cities like Faridabad will continue to choke under a haze that knows no boundaries," said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). "We recognise the growing complexity of air pollution in Faridabad, especially the role of secondary pollutants like ammonium sulfate. We are factoring in results of the recent source apportionment study to expand our monitoring network to better understand and tackle these emerging challenges," said an HSPCB official. NCAP is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in Jan 2019. Its primary goal is to improve air quality in 131 cities across India, known as non-attainment cities and million-plus cities. The programme aims at achieving a 20-30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024, using 2017 as the base year. Recently, the target was updated to a 40% reduction by 2026.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: Nehru Park set to host 150 air purifiers in anti-pollution plan
The Delhi government will install 150 outdoor air purifiers at Nehru Park in a pilot project aimed at creating the city's first 'clean air zone,' environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, outlining a plan that experts called unviable and impractical. An air purifier already installed at the Jangpura fuel station. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) Sirsa said the devices, upto nine-feet-tall PM 2.5 particulate matter filters, will be spread across the 85-acre park and maintain 'good' air quality even during peak pollution periods. 'This initiative is part of the government's efforts to improve air quality in the city. It will be a first-of-its-kind pilot project in the country to improve air quality at a public park,' Sirsa told HT. The announcement comes as Delhi has grappled for years with hazardous air pollution levels that peak in the transition to winter. It follows the closure of two expensive smog towers that authorities deemed ineffective, after the then Aam Aadmi Party government touted them as first-of-its-kind solutions to the city's bad air crisis. In 2023, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee called the Connaught Place smog tower experiment ineffective in improving outdoor air quality. The new project will be carried out through a corporate social responsibility partnership with private firm Umeandus, which has tested the technology at four locations including Anand Vihar, a Jangpura petrol pump, New Moti Bagh and outside the Taj Ambassador hotel. Each purifier will cover approximately 600 square metres and requires approval from the New Delhi Municipal Council before installation can begin, Sirsa said. The devices are easy to install and occupy minimal space, according to the minister. Officials said each machine costs around ₹ 5 lakh and the project will be funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Experts questioned the viability of outdoor air purification technology, pointing to the failure of previous initiatives. 'The best example is our two Delhi smog towers at Anand Vihar and Connaught Place. As of now, we have not seen any evidence to suggest how air purifiers outside can clean up air in an effective radius in the city,' said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment. 'It is more important to assess the viability of technology that is already installed, before more investments flow in. The same funds could be used to reduce emissions at source,' she added. Air purifiers are typically effective in enclosed places where the same air is recirculated – a device out in the open will need to filter a potentially unending supply of bad air, depending on wind conditions. Nehru Park, known for its lush lawns and trees including gulmohar, neem and ashoka, attracts hundreds of walkers, joggers and yoga enthusiasts daily, particularly during morning and evening hours. The park also hosts regular cultural events. The initiative forms part of the BJP government's broader air quality strategy, including its manifesto promise to halve Delhi's pollution levels by 2030. Earlier this month, the government released a Mitigation Action Plan featuring over 1,000 water sprinklers, 140 anti-smog guns, cloud seeding experiments, audits of pollution under control centres every six months, installation of automatic number plate recognition cameras on Delhi's border points for end-of-life vehicles, and 5,000 additional electric buses. Delhi consistently ranks among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality frequently reaching hazardous levels.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Air pollution uneven across town: research
Research shows air quality is not consistent across Gore — instead air pollution gathers in two specific areas of the town. A study from Niwa indicated during winter last year, Environment Southland contributed funding to place 28 clarity monitors that measure PM2.5 levels to assess the variation in air quality across Gore. PM2.5 and PM10 are types of particulate matter small enough to be inhaled and reach deep into the lungs and are used as indicators of air quality. Environment Southland said in a statement the monitors were deployed in a uniform grid across the urban area of the town and measured the PM2.5 levels daily between April 22 and June 25. Environment Southland team leader air and terrestrial science Dr Nick Talbot said the council funded the project because it had the responsibility to monitor air quality in its airsheds. "Part of that responsibility is determining whether the permanent air monitoring station is in the right place. "Gore has only had two exceedances of the National Standards for Air Quality in four years, both of which were last year. "While that looks great on the surface, we wanted to ensure that it was an accurate reflection of what the air quality was for the town. "We need to make sure the monitoring station is located in the right area to measure correctly." The work revealed one large area in the southwest of the town and another smaller area in East Gore experienced higher levels of air pollution in winter. "Plumes of smoke are found not to move as freely in Gore as in Invercargill. Instead, they pool in specific locations due to hilly topography and airflow. "This work clearly shows that the monitoring site adopted by council is on the fringe of the correct location to accurately represent the concentrations of pollution in the worst affected areas of Gore." The amount of air pollution in those areas compared with the rest of the grid clearly indicated the number of homes using fireplaces was the cause, Dr Talbot said. As a result, a temporary testing site has been placed in West Gore for two years to measure the air quality throughout winter. "Our message for those at home this winter is that home heating is one area where people can make the biggest difference to our air quality. "Not only does burning wet wood create a large amount of smoke, it gives off much less warmth than dry wood." Environment Southland operates a Good Wood approved suppliers' scheme, in which firewood retailers voluntarily agree to supply wood at the recommended moisture level of less than 25%. — APL
