US University, Indian experts to study Delhi’s pollutants

NEW DELHI: The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between US University and Delhi Government to study the source of city’s pollutants with special reference to PM2.5 levels. The main target of the project is to monitor the real time air quality and identification of pollution sources in Delhi.

The joint study is expected to start with the end of this month and would take around 18 months to complete. The new study will help authorities to light up the chemical compositions, the pollutants and their sources of Delhi pollution, said the Delhi government officials on January 7.

The experts from Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Washington University at St Louis, Missouri would be working together for the study. Earlier before the proposal was delivered in March 2018 by the Delhi government under their first ‘Green Budget’, the MoU was signed on January 3.

According to the senior officials, “The work will be undertaken by personnel of the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Laboratory (AAQRL) at Washington University. The lab has the expertise to identify air quality problems and suggest solutions.”

“Wireless sensors will be deployed by the scientists together with developed algorithm to help monitor real-time air quality and the source at selected locations in the city. This would help policy development to regulate and improve the air quality,” said an official of the Delhi government’s environment department.

At present Delhi’s Air Quality Index monitors eight key pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, among others.

PM 2.5 is believed to be the most dangerous pollutant in the city that directly affect our respiratory system and gets absorbed in the bloodstream leading to heart attacks and cancer.