The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), in association with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the leading instrumentation company Horiba, Ltd has launched a pilot study on real time source apportionment of PM2.5 (particulate matter below 2,5 micron in size) in Delhi-NCR. The objective of the study is to identify the signature of various sources of pollution and carry out source speciation in select hotspots in Delhi-NCR. CSE announced the launch of the study here today at a Round Table Meeting.
The monitoring for the study will begin from January 28, 2019 and continue till April 28, 2019. In these three months, the study will monitor 10-12 specific locations in Delhi-NCR. The study will be carried out using a “Real Time PM and Elemental Analyzer PX-375”, which is a product of HORIBA and gives a continuous analysis of PM2.5 concentration and its elemental composition. The technology used for monitoring PM2.5 is Beta-Ray Attenuation; the elemental analysis would be done using X-Ray Fluorescence technology. The instrument for the study will be co-located with the DPCC’s continuous air pollution monitoring stations.
Speaking at the Meeting, Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE, said: “The pilot study will come out with signatures to identify the major sources of pollution in real time. Once we have established the signatures for various sources of pollution, the real time elemental analysis will help us identify the source of pollution in an area, which will then help regulators in taking corrective action quickly.”
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director-research and advocacy, CSE, added: “This is an opportunity to move from static one-time source apportionment to dynamic source identification and real-time mitigation. It can inform the ongoing efforts and processes to implement the Graded Response Action Plan and the Comprehensive Action Plan for a more effective impact. The outcome of this project will help to identify the pathways for adapting new generation pollution assessment methods for more real time assessment and refinement of mitigation strategies in targeted areas as well as on a city-wide and region-wide scale to meet the clean air target.”
