Latest news with #PM2.5
Economist
2 days ago
- Climate
- Economist
Rich Chinese cities are suffocating poor ones
The smog in Beijing was once so thick that a local brewery began selling a bitter beer called the 'Airpocalypse', which was cheaper on polluted days. These days fewer people are chugging a discounted brew. Last year Beijing saw only two days of very severe smog, according to the government's method of measuring—down from 58 in 2013. The prevalence of a particularly dangerous class of pollutants called PM2.5, which comprises specks of dust and ash small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs, has fallen by two-thirds over a decade. Though levels are still well above what the World Health Organisation deems safe, city officials are proud of the progress they have made.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Science
- Business Standard
Delhi to launch ₹3.21 crore artificial rain project: How it will be done
Backed by IIT-Kanpur and IMD, the ₹3.21 crore project aims to trigger artificial rain over Delhi using cloud seeding technology to reduce PM levels and build evidence for future urban use Vrinda Goel New Delhi The Delhi government is set to launch its first pilot project for artificial rain through cloud seeding, or artificial rain, to tackle the city's pollution. Cloud-seeding operations will begin as soon as favourable weather conditions, particularly the presence of moisture-laden clouds, are observed. The ₹3.21 crore initiative will be implemented in partnership with IIT-Kanpur and the Delhi government's Department of Environment. IIT-Kanpur will handle the scientific, technical, and operational aspects of the project. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also extended formal support, confirming the feasibility of the project across the NCR. It will provide critical real-time data, including cloud type, altitude, wind patterns, and dew point to assist in operational planning, reports NDTV. What is artificial rain? Artificial rain is a weather modification technique that enhances precipitation by dispersing substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into clouds. These act as nuclei, encouraging moisture to condense into larger droplets, which can trigger rainfall or snowfall from clouds that may not naturally produce it. Why Delhi needs artificial rain According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board and SAFAR, concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 frequently exceed prescribed limits, pushing the Air Quality Index into the 'severe' category and posing serious public health risks. Artificial rain, created through cloud seeding, helps by washing out pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 from the atmosphere, leading to cleaner air and better visibility. Delhi's artificial rain project: How it will be done As part of its artificial rain project, IIT-Kanpur will fly small aircraft over Delhi skies to try and make it rain. The aircraft will carry special flares that release a mixture of chemicals into the clouds, encouraging them to produce rain. The aircraft, a modified Cessna, will carry flares filled with a unique mix developed by IIT-Kanpur. This mix includes tiny particles of silver iodide (a compound that helps form ice), powdered rock salt, iodised salt, and a chemical to keep the mix free-flowing. This blend works in two ways: it helps water droplets form more easily and also triggers the formation of ice crystals, both of which increase the chances of rain. The trial will include up to five flights, each lasting at least 90 minutes and covering around 100 square kilometres. These flights will avoid sensitive or restricted airspace and will only take place after getting final clearances. They will focus on areas in northwest and outer Delhi. The flights will target nimbostratus clouds—thick, grey clouds found between 500 and 6,000 metres above ground level and with a moisture level of over 50 per cent, which makes them suitable for seeding. The exact amount and type of the seeding mix used will depend on the weather and how much moisture is present in the clouds. To track the effect of the artificial rain on pollution, IIT-Kanpur will monitor air quality in real time using Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in and around the area. These stations measure PM2.5 and PM10—tiny harmful particles in the air that affect health. IIT-Kanpur had earlier run seven successful cloud seeding trials between April and July in drought-hit regions, using the same type of aircraft and flare-based systems. The Delhi project builds on those efforts, with a new focus on fighting air pollution. It is expected to provide data that may help use this method in other polluted urban areas in future. A step towards Delhi's 'right to clean air' Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the pilot project a national-first, rooted in science and executed with precision. 'This is not just a fight against pollution, it's a blueprint for the future. The experiment is being carried out with military-grade accuracy and real-time evaluation,' he said.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Map Shows States With Highest Levels of Tiny, Toxic Air Pollution
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California and Oregon are among the U.S. hotspots for dangerous submicron (PM1) air pollution—those with particles less than a micron, or a millionth of a meter wide—according to new research. Researchers at Washington University of St. Louis have been quantifying the amount of submicron particles in the air across the country over the last 25 years. The data, which calculated submicron estimates based on known rations of what makes up PM 2.5 particles (those less than 2.5 microns wide), suggest that many areas in the east of the contiguous U.S. contain hotspots. Because PM1 pollution is much smaller than PM2.5 (and at least six times smaller than human blood cells), it has the potential to lead to even worse health effects, as it is small enough to slip past the body's defenses. Parts of Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon and Texas all appear to have higher concentrations of submicron particulate matter, shown by darker red areas on the researchers' map, as below. A map of the U.S. showing the concentration of submicron particulate matter, with higher concentrations shown by darker red areas. A map of the U.S. showing the concentration of submicron particulate matter, with higher concentrations shown by darker red areas. Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group Conversely, parts of Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming appear to have far fewer dark patches on the map, suggesting much lower levels of submicron particulate matter. Parts of Arizona and New Mexico showed high concentration levels in some areas, and much lower levels among other regions of their respective state. Higher concentrations of PM1 were found in major urban and industrial areas and areas affected by wildfires, highlighting the role of combustion sources in producing harmful particles. This contrasts with lower concentrations being prevalent across the arid west. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that 99 percent of the global population breathes in air containing high levels of pollutants and exceeds the WHO guidelines. The combined effects of ambient air pollution with household air pollution are associated with 7 million premature deaths every year. Both outdoor and indoor air pollution can cause respiratory diseases, as the small particles are able to get deep into the lungs or potentially even into the bloodstream. Exposure to particle pollution can cause heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and difficulty breathing, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. According to Chi Li, assistant research professor and first author of the study, the small particles identified tend to come from direct air emissions, such as black carbon particles from diesel engines, or the smoke from wildfires. PM1 can also form through secondary processes however, when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides are spit out through fuel combustion and burning coal, Li noted. The significance of pollution regulation should not be overlooked, as the dataset reveals that PM1 levels dropped sharply from 1998 to 2022, as a result of regulations such as the Clean Air Act of 1970. Newsweek has contacted Li via email for comment. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about air pollution? Let us know via science@ Reference Li, C., Martin, R. V., Donkelaar, A. van, Jimenez, J. L., Zhang, Q., Turner, J. R., Liu, X., Rowe, M., Meng, J., Yu, W., & Thurston, G. D. (2025). Estimates of submicron particulate matter (PM1) concentrations for 1998–2022 across the contiguous USA: Leveraging measurements of PM1 with nationwide PM2·5 component data. The Lancet Planetary Health, 9(6).
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
City's PM10 level breached norms every 2nd day in Feb-April: Study
Mumbai: Winter alone doesn't have the biggest chokehold on Mumbai's air quality. The levels of suspended pollutant PM10 were above the national ambient air quality standard on 49 of 89 monitored days in Feb-April this year, shows an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) data. PM10 levels were above the standard of 100µg/m³ on all 28 days of Feb, according to the data analysed by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. In March, 17 of 31 days recorded average levels above the safe limit. In April, four of the 30 days breached the standard. The average monthly PM10 level was 130µg/m³ in Feb, 108µg/m³ in March and 78µg/m³ in April. Deonar, where the city's largest garbage dumping ground is located, BKC, Kurla and Chakala in Andheri—all of which see dense vehicular movement—as well as Malad West were the biggest pollution hotspots (see graphic). However, levels of the microscopic PM2.5 particles, which can penetrate deep into lung passageways, remained within the 24-hour permissible limit of 60µg/m³ during the period assessed. PM10 refers to particulate matter that is 10mm or smaller in diameter—about one-seventh the width of a human hair. These tiny particles are small enough to be inhaled and can settle in lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo As per air quality experts, common sources of PM10 include construction and road dust, vehicle emissions, industrial activity and burning of waste. PM10 particles can also irritate the eyes, throat and nose and are especially harmful to children, senior citizens and people with asthma or other lung conditions. In Mumbai, air quality data is recorded by 30 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations. "Every pollution hotspot in Mumbai has a unique fingerprint. Real-time source apportionment, in addition to the proposed air quality warning and integrated decision support system for emissions for Mumbai, is crucial to identify what's causing the problem, whether it's traffic, industry, construction or waste burning. Alongside this, capacity building is essential to ensure that targeted actions are implemented effectively on the ground, with clear accountability and follow-through," said Manoj Kumar, analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Bhagwan Kesbhat, founder of NGO Waatavaran Foundation and member of Mumbai Clean Air Network said, "Deteriorating air quality in Mumbai has become a growing concern for all. While PM2.5 poses serious health risks, the consistently high levels of PM10 at several locations cannot be overlooked and needs urgent attention as it also impacts respiratory health. BMC has taken steps to manage construction dust, but much more needs to be done on the ground to ensure cleaner air for citizens this winter. " He said it is crucial to identify hotspots like Deonar and study the causes for the consistently high pollution levels.
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Americans Told To Stay Indoors in 5 States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur. On Wednesday, residents in Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Kansas contended with potentially hazardous air pollution levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) real-time air quality map. EPA mapping showed high concentration levels of fine particulates, also known as PM2.5 across a portion of central Kansas, western Minnesota, northwest South Dakota, a large portion of North Dakota, and Northeast Montana. An official map highlights which areas faced the highest levels of air pollution. An official map highlights which areas faced the highest levels of air pollution. EPA The worst affected state was North Dakota, with the EPA map showing a central swath of the state marked under "very unhealthy" air quality levels. This is a developing story and will be updated shortly.
