'Invisible' pollutants make air more harmful than ever

The Times of India , Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Correspondent : Neha Shukla
LUCKNOW: Technological advancements in the automotive industry and the switchover from two-stroke engines to four-stroke ones may have been touted as vehicles 'going green', but new challenges have now emerged in the battle against ever-increasing air pollution. It has been found that fuel-efficient vehicles, which may be performing better on dated parameters of pollution control, are also releasing 'invisible' pollutants in the air that are much more harmful than their earlier counterparts.

The current breed of vehicles in fact emit respiratory suspended particulate matter (RSPM) so small, the gravitational pull has no effect on them and they are able to penetrate cell walls, entering lungs and arteries. This may eventually lead to life-threatening pulmonary ailments.

Research conducted by scientists at Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), a CSIR lab in Lucknow, corroborates the decreasing size of pollutants in the city's air. For the first time recently, presence of 'nano-particles' as small as 1 micrometer has been established in Lucknow. This is five times smaller than the head of a human sperm, and seven times smaller than a red blood cell.

In fact, the nano-particle PM2.5 is now the main pollutant along with carbon monoxide (CO) in the city's air, as found by the Air Quality Index project launched on April 6. Tailpipe emissions from cars and bikes are the main source of CO and PM2.5. In comparison, till 2006, black carbon soot emitted from vehicles was the main air pollutant in the city.

Making things worse is the fact that the city witnesses a 9% increase in the number of vehicles annually. Over the past decade, vehicular popular has doubled. With newer additions to the fleet comes increased air pollution.

The local temperature and humidity also leave residents more exposed to 'invisible' pollution in the night and early morning. So if you think morning walks help you breathe in some fresh air, you may be wrong.

Burning of fossil fuels, friction between road and tyres, and re-suspension of street dust also release RSPM in the air. "Vehicles not being driven at the optimum speed pollute more. Similarly, diesel vehicles cause seven times more pollution than petrol vehicles," said clean air campaign manager, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, Vivek Chattopadhyaya.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Invisible-pollutants-make-air-more-harmful-than-ever/articleshow/46993620.cms
 


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