Air Quality with a Special Emphasis on PM2.5: A Case Study of Delhi and Mumbai

Abstract:

Particulate Matter (PM) is a pollutant that has multiple sources. The two main classifications of PM are PM2.5 and PM10. Due to the small size of the particles, they penetrate through to the lungs, the bloodstream, and other body organs causing heart and lung disease, respiratory irritation, cough, wheezing, and a decrease in morality. High levels of PM in indoor and outdoors is a great concern for scientists due to the high risk of health being impacted by PM. The two cities being observed will be Delhi and Mumbai. These two cities were chosen due to geographical location (Delhi: Northern India, Mumbai: Western India) in order to observe the impact of inversion of temperature, monsoons, geography, and population on PM levels. PM levels of Delhi will be compared to those of Mumbai’s, as well as the seasonal variation and yearly variation trends will be analyzed from the year 2016 to 2019. My research findings indicate that PM levels were the highest in Delhi rather than Mumbai with the seasonal patterns showing winter time is linked with higher PM emissions (inversion of temperature & wind pattern), while Monsoon season is linked with lower emissions. In addition, the geographical location causes Delhi’s PM levels to be higher than Mumbai’s due to Delhi being landlocked and Mumbai being a maritime city. Delhi will receive polluted air from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana due to stubble farming, while Mumbai will have an exchange of sea breeze from the Arabian and Indian ocean. For these cities, population does not impact PM levels. This research will be able to determine if the policies set by the Indian government were efficient or not. There was the FAME India policy, the odd-even car rule, the banning of firecrackers, and other regulations set. I will observe the data to see if PM levels have decreased or increased. If there is an increase, it illustrates the policies were insufficient and more research might be needed to determine the best course of action.