Between 2012 and 2021 PM 10 level in capital dropped 40%
- October 4, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Between 2012 and 2021 PM 10 level in capital dropped 40%
Subject : Environment
Context:
The PM 10 level in Delhi has fallen by around 40% between 2012 and 2021 and the PM2.5 level has fallen by around 31% over the same time period, based on data of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
- The data presented at the inauguration of the ‘Green War Room’ ahead of the annual winter spike in air pollution levels showed that annual average PM 10 level in 2012 was 368 µg/m3, while annual average was 221 µg/m3 in 2021.
- The level in 2012 was an increase from 277 µg/m3 in 2011.
- The PM 2.5 level in 2012 was 164 µg/m3, while the annual average PM 2.5 level in 2021 was 113 µg/m3.
- PM 2.5 levels saw a similar rise in 2012 compared to 2011, when the figure was 136 µg/m3.
Concepts:
About Green War Room-
- The ‘Green War Room’ is being used to monitor measures being taken this winter to mitigate air pollution levels, and track AQI and instances of stubble burning.
- The war room began functioning 3 october 2022 onwards.
- It will function round-the-clock.
Particulate matter
- Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.
- Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time.
- Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with a microscope.
- Many manmade and natural sources emit PM directly or emit other pollutants that react in the atmosphere to form PM.
PM 2.5
- Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) are referred to as “fine” particles and are believed to pose the greatest health risks.
- Because of their small size (approximately 1/30th the average width of a human hair), fine particles can lodge deeply into the lungs.
- It is the most dangerous pollutant because it can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the blood system, causing cardiovascular and respiratory disease and cancers. It affects more people than other pollutants and has health impacts even at very low concentrations
- Particles with diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers are referred to as “coarse” particles.
- PM 2.5 particles can only be detected with the help of electron microscope.
Sources of PM
- Sources of fine particles include all types of combustion activities (motor vehicles, power plants, wood burning, etc.) and certain industrial processes.
- Sources of coarse particles include crushing or grinding operations, and dust from paved or unpaved roads.
- Other particles may be formed in the air from the chemical change of gases. They are indirectly formed when gases from burning fuels react with sunlight and water vapor. These can result from fuel combustion in motor vehicles, at power plants, and in other industrial processes.