AAP govt partners with US varsity to study air quality

New Delhi: The Delhi government has signed an agreement with the Washington University to conduct a joint study on air quality evaluation in the national capital.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims at the joint study to be undertaken by the Washington University and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for real-time source apportionment with special reference to PM 2.5 and analysis of elemental, organic carbon, and 72 inorganic elements.

PM 2.5 level is a measure of fine particulate matter in air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers.

“The project duration will be 18 months. The work will be undertaken by the personnel of the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Laboratory (AAQRL), which has expertise in identifying air quality problems and suggesting solutions to curtail emission for reducing air pollutant release,” an official statement said.

“Two speciation monitors will be used in the project for obtaining the composition of PM 2.5. Identification of the sources of the respective particulate matter based on a real-time algorithm will be developed. Data analyses and algorithm will be developed for identifying major source categories and approaches to minimise and improve air quality,” it added.

The data achieved will help understand the source profile needed to be regulated for the effective improvement of air quality in the city.

“Wireless sensors will be deployed together with developed algorithm, which will help in monitoring the real-time air quality and the source at selected locations in the city,” the statement said.

“While the study will involve testing and identifying the source of air pollution and chemical composition of various PMs, it will also help identify the factor affecting the quantities of emissions of various pollutants from different sources. It will also derive conclusions and policy recommendations for air pollution control,” it added.