IIT Kanpur Conducts New Research On Air Pollution Sources & Impact On Health In North India

Prof. Sachchida Nand Tripathi of the Department of Civil Engineering and the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has identified the major sources of harmful air pollutants along with their impact on human health in Northern India. The study is published in the prestigious journal “Nature Communications”, one of the leading peer-reviewed, open-access journals covering all natural sciences.

It reveals that local emissions, particularly from incomplete combustion of various fuels, play a significant role in the poor air quality and associated health risks in the region. Prof. Tripathi”s team, in collaboration with national and international researchers, analyzed air quality data from five locations across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, including sites in and around Delhi, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

As per Prof. Tripathi, the crucial insights from the study into the sources of air pollution and their impact on health in Northern India will help to develop more effective strategies to improve air quality and protect public health. It has led to a greater understanding of the dominant role played by local emissions and inefficient combustion.

Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, of IIT Kanpur, lauded the research, “This study exemplifies IIT Kanpur”s commitment to finding solutions for the critical challenges that India is facing”. It will provide valuable insights and knowledge to guide policymakers and stakeholders in their efforts to mitigate air pollution and its detrimental effects on our health, he further added.

Key highlights of the new research

• The study found that local sources and processes are the main factors contributing to the widespread air pollution across the region.
• Inside Delhi, ammonium chloride and organic aerosols from traffic, residential heating, and industrial activities are key contributors.
• Outside Delhi, emissions from agricultural burning and secondary organic aerosols formed from these emissions are more prevalent.
• Regardless of location, the study identified organic aerosols from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels like wood, dung, coal, and petrol, as the major factor driving air pollution”s oxidative potential – a key indicator of its ability to cause adverse health effects.
• The oxidative potential refers to the free radicals generated when pollutants interact with certain substances in the environment or our bodies. These free radicals can cause damage by reacting with cells, proteins, and DNA. Oxidative potential measures how likely air pollution is to cause this reaction, which in turn can lead to health problems like respiratory diseases, heart disease, and accelerated aging.

How the research will help to understand the pollution problem?

The research underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that address local emission sources and promote cleaner technologies, particularly in the transportation, residential, and industrial sectors. While previous studies have highlighted the severity of air pollution in India, identifying the exact sources and their relative contributions has remained a challenge.

Implementing stricter emission standards, promoting renewable energy sources, and raising public awareness about the health impacts of air pollution will help achieve cleaner air and a healthier future for not just the north but the rest of the country too.

According to Prof. Tripathi, there is an urgent need to address this issue and reduce emissions through targeted interventions to improve combustion efficiency in various sectors.