Indian researchers introduce ‘toxicity standard’ of PM2.5 pollution

Researchers at the Bose Institute an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology showed that the toxicity value of PM25 experiences a sudden jump when the pollution reaches around 70 micrograms per cubic metreThe toxicity standard implies that ldquopolicies strategies and control measures should be taken to keep PM25 pollution within this limit of around 70 micrograms per cubic metre because once the PM25 load exceeds this value the toxicity starts to increase rapidly and goes beyond controlrdquo said the researchersPM 25 or particulate matter with a diameter of 25 micrometres or smaller is a significant air pollutant posing serious health risks including respiratory and cardiovascular problems and is a key indicator of air qualityThe study led by Prof Abhijit Chatterjee focussed on the toxicity of atmospheric aerosols over the atmosphere of KolkataThe researchers explored how the degree of the toxicity changes with the increase in total aerosol pollution load and have studied the oxidative potential of ultrafine aerosols PM25 or the potential of forming the reactive oxygen species ROS that are introduced to the human lung cells via inhalation of particlesThe enhanced presence of the reactive oxidative species makes the natural antioxidants of human cells incapable of counteracting leading to oxidative stress in cellsThe study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment showed that there is a nonlinear relationship between the PM25 pollution load and its toxicity OPldquoUp to the PM25 pollution load of around 70 micrograms per cubic metre the toxicity remains unchanged With the increase in PM25 the OP values show a jump and sudden rise till the PM25 pollution reaches around 130 micrograms per cubic metre With the further increase in PM25 load exceeding 130 micrograms per cubic metre OP values do not change muchrdquo the team explained in the paperFurther the researchers found that biomasssolid waste burning is the key source of PM25 that is enhancing the toxicity of ultrafine aerosols over KolkataldquoWhile the National Clean Air Programme NCAP has been effective in reducing and curbing various air pollution sources like road dust constructionaldemolition dust vehicular exhaust industrial emissions etc However biomasssolid waste burning could not be kept under good control The particles emitted from this particular source are accelerating the toxicityrdquo the researchers saidNCAP was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC to combat air pollution in the countryThe programme is focused on the reduction of particulate matter by 40 per cent by 2026 with respect to 2017 through strategies and action plans for 131 nonattainment cities not attaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of India in India for different states Kolkata has been identified as one of such cities in IndiaatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params