Living in High-Rises Linked to Higher Air Pollution Exposure, IIT Delhi Study Finds

As Delhi continues to report above 200 AQI and locals suffer from a wealth of problems, a new IIT Delhi study suggests the air quality may be worse than what conventional surface monitoring stations capture. During a post winter-haze day in March 2021, the researchers measured the vertical distribution of fine particulate matter at 20-metre intervals from the surface up to 100 meters through drones. At 100 meters, PM2.5 concentrations were around 160 micrograms per cubic meter which is about 60 percent higher than surface readings on the same days. They also found that humidity levels were also higher by 70 percent, which promoted the concentration of ammonium nitrate and chloride.Additionally, the study found that PM2.5 levels increased sharply near the top of this shallow layer, leading to higher concentrations at around 100 metres. Based on these observations, the researchers concluded that residents in 28–30-storey buildings may face higher exposure to pollutants and inorganic material than indicated by ground-based monitors.They also noted that drone-mounted low-cost sensors are a much better effective tool for studying the lower atmospheric boundary layer to improve air quality monitoring, model evaluation and mitigation strategies in cities such as Delhi.How To Read AQI?As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), here is how you can know what your AQI stands for0 to 50: Good51 to 100: Satisfactory101 to 200: Moderate201 to 300: Poor301 to 400: Very Poor401 to 500: SevereAir quality is made of dust and small particles like PM2.5 and PM10, along with gases like nitrogen dioxide from car exhaust, sulphur dioxide from factories, and carbon monoxide from vehicles. The levels are measured through specialized machines. In India, the standard of the machines are carried out by the CPCB.Pollution Could Harm Your BrainWhile we all know the harm pollution could do to your lungs, doctors have also highlighted that pollution could also lead to cognitive ailments. Mental health impacts such as risk of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental disorders in children could rise.Dr Deepika Dahima, a psychologist at AIIMS Delhi said that pollution could put mental health at risk. Prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter like PM10 or PM2.5 could lead to a rise in anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment and chronic stress. Children also show disrupted neural development and learning difficulties, while adults experience irritability, emotional fatigue and impaired decision-making.Medical practitioner Dr Jitender Nagpal, deputy medical superintendent and pediatrician at Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science, told Press Trust India: “Increasingly, a wide spectrum of behavioural and learning issues such as attention difficulties, irritability, and poor academic performance are being noticed in many children.”Studies too have linked the exposure of particulate matter or PM2.5 with increased ADHD risk. There are research that show a 1.51 fold increase per 5 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 and others indicating elevated risks when exposure exceeds 16 μg/m³.A Environmental Research by Oregon Health & Science University study published in December 18 found that everyday exposure to urban air pollution gradually alters brain development in children and young adults. The researchers of the Oregon Health & Science University discovered that exposure to air pollutants at ages 9 to 10 was associated with changes in cortical thickness in the frontal and temporal brain regions that are responsible for executive function, language, mood regulation, and socioemotional processing.Another study published in Nature Communication notes that after four hours of exposure to particulate matter, it was found that people's ability to perform routine tasks and interpret emotions were highly impacted.Study's co-author, Dr Thomas Faherty said, "Study provides compelling evidence that even short-term exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities.”

Living in High-Rises Linked to Higher Air Pollution Exposure, IIT Delhi Study Finds

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Living in High-Rises Linked to Higher Air Pollution Exposure, IIT Delhi Study Finds

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