Study To Trace Air Pollution Sources In Urban Areas Near Patna

Patna: A real-time source apportionment study, which will help identify the sources of air pollution, has begun for the extended urban areas of Patna, a top official said. The findings will help the authorities concerned to take suitable actions to reduce pollution, the official said. Real-time source apportionment (RTSA) studies help identify factors responsible for an increase in air pollution at any spot, such as vehicles, dust, biomass burning, and emissions from industries so that preventive measures can be taken accordingly.

Also Read: Bump In Delhi’s Air Quality Index Due To Dusty Winds From West: Environment Minister Gopal Rai 

The study, initiated by Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked with the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), will be completed by September 2024.

It is a crucial study that will find out the level of toxicity in the air. Apart from conducting emission inventory, carrying capacity and source apportionment of particulate matter pollution, experts will also collect data on the contribution of river bed material (soil) and source of road dust, Devendra Kumar Shukla, Chairman of the BSPCB, told PTI.

The current study is aimed to investigate the seasonal mass concentration level of PM2.5 and PM10 in ambient air of the extended urban area of Patna, Shukla said.

PM stands for Particulate Matter. PM2.5 and PM10 are minute particles present in the air and exposure to it is harmful to health. When the level of these particles increases and penetrates deeply into the lungs, a person experiences health issues like breathing problems, burning sensation in the eyes. Further the BSPCB Chairman said,

The toxicological effects caused by air pollutant exposures on human life will also be evaluated through this study

After Patna, a similar pilot study may be conducted in other major cities of the state, including Gaya and Muzaffarpur. Explaining that the Indo-Gangetic plains are worst affected due to air pollution, mainly because of dust, he emphasised the need for long-term measures to curb the problem. The official said,

Rivers carry silt with it and it remains suspended in the air for a long time. As for controlling vehicle emissions, there should be a proper traffic system in cities, including Patna, so that there are no bottlenecks that result in snarls which increases pollution

Poor air quality, especially during winter, in different cities of Bihar has always remained a matter of concern for the authorities.

Also Read: Air Pollution: Effects Of Pollutant Air On Brain Functioning And Movement Disorders After Stroke 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diarrhoea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.