· The study will handle multiple air quality issues

· Focus will be on monitoring suspended particulate matter

· The model tested in the U.S. and Japan

BANGALORE: Almost 2.5 million people die prematurely because of air pollution, studies show. In Bangalore, the level for suspended particulate matter (spm) exceeds the ambient air quality at all five monitoring stations across the city.

To develop a model that can be applied to predict pollution patterns and develop strategies to improve air quality, the Energy Research Institute (TERI) along with the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and the Toyota Central R and D Lab (TCRDL) have joint hands to study pollution in the city.

For the first time in India, a three dimensional urban air quality model study will be taken up. During the first phase of the three-year programme, air quality in urban Bangalore with a focus on identifying the causes of air pollution will be studied.

TMC will fully finance the Rs. 70-lakh project while TERI will provide the technical expertise, said TMC Senior Technical Executive Watanabe.

TERI Director-General R.K. Pachauri said the study will focus on particulate matter by using two models, including the Community Multiscale Air Quality model and Urban to Regional (URM) model.

The study would address multiple air quality issues such as fine particles and ozone and acid deposition.

The sources of pollution included in the study included vehicle emissions, stationary emissions with target pollutants such as ozone, oxides and suspended particulate matter.

The model, which has been tested by Toyota in the U.S. and Japan, has capabilities to assess regional contribution to urban air pollution.