Concrete surfaces can help tackle air pollution as it absorbs sulphur dioxide — a major pollutant, scientists, including one of Indian origin, have found.

The strategy of using pollution-causing material and turning it into an environmental solution could lead to new thinking in urban design and waste management, researchers said.

This could be a significant step toward the practice of using waste concrete to minimise air pollution, they said.

“Even though producing concrete causes air pollution, concrete buildings in urban areas can serve as a kind of sponge adsorbing sulphur dioxide to a high level,” said Alex Orlov, associate professor at Stony Brook University in the U.S.

“Our findings open up the possibility that waste concrete coming from building demolitions can be used to adsorb these pollutants,” Mr. Orlov said.

7 mn premature deaths

According to the World Health Organisation, as many as seven million premature deaths of people worldwide may be linked to poor air quality and pollution.

Sulphur dioxide emissions are among the most common pollutants into the air globally, with power plants emitting the most sulphur dioxide.

Cement kilns also produce about 20% of all sulphur dioxide industrial emissions.

Concrete remains the most widely used material in the world and is inexpensive.