English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Latest Science News

Odd-Even scheme had little impact on air pollution: study

Published

8 years ago

on

Odd-Even scheme had little impact on air pollution: study

~By Rayies Altaf

Air pollution is a serious problem in Delhi and vehicular traffic is generally thought to be the main culprit. But a new study done in the national capital has found that traffic density alone doesn’t have much impact on the amount or intensity of air pollution in the city. There are other environmental factors which play a vital role.

The study, conducted during implementation of traffic rationing policy – popularly known as `Odd-Even Scheme’ – implemented from January 1 to 15, 2016, found that there was hardly any impact on the characteristics and concentration of major air pollutants – particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) and black carbon.

The average mass concentration of PM 2.5 and black carbon during the traffic rationing campaign was found to be much higher than expected. The concentration of PM 2.5 was higher than before the scheme was implemented. The average concentration of black carbon was found to be more than before the scheme came into effect as well as after the scheme ended. Both the cases show results, which are against the expectation of a decrease.

The PM 2.5 concentration was 163.51 microgram per cubic meter before, 186.98 microgram per cubic meter during and 197.45 microgram per cubic meter after the campaign. The concentration of BC was 14.01 microgram per cubic meter before, 19.87 microgram per cubic meter during and 17.79 microgram per cubic meter after the scheme ended. The unexpected results seem to be on account of lack of wind, low humidity and probable rise in the use of non-maintained vehicles during the campaign period.

“The daily variation in meteorological parameters makes it very difficult to delineate the effect of traffic density on PM concentration. Although there may be a reduction in the level of few pollutants, the decrease in the number of vehicles was not sufficient to make a visible change in PM characteristics over Delhi,” the study has concluded.

The positive impact was seen in terms of reduction in concentration of some harmful chemical elements like arsenic, copper, lead, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, silica, sodium, chlorine, potassium, chromium and iron. These elements when inhaled for very long periods are known to cause many diseases in both humans and animals. Lead, for instance, is a known neurotoxin and is believed to cause adverse effects on pregnant women and children.

“An important aspect of the study is that it has highlighted the significance of surface winds in controlling air quality. The fact that winds do not blow much in Delhi means that we might need to rethink our urban construction planning. More extensive studies are needed in this direction to understand the dynamics and patterns of air pollution in local as well as broader context,” Prof AP Dimri, a member of the research team, explained while speaking to Indian Science Wire.

Delhi particularly suffers from high levels of particulate matter (especially PM 2.5) and black carbon. PM 2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter, which have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers – about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Such extremely small sized particulate matter tends to stay longer in the air than heavier particles, thereby increasing the chances of humans and animals inhaling them. The PM 2.5 directly enters living tissues through lungs, causing several respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Black carbon is the sooty black material emitted from diesel engines of vehicles and holds a large portion of particulate matter in itself.

The research team included Vikas Goel, Sumit Kumar Mishra, Ajit Ahlawat, N. Vijayan and R.K. Kotnala, Chhemendra Sharma and S.R. Radhakrishnan (Environmental Sciences and Biomedical Metrology Division, National Physical Laboratory), besides Dr. Dimri, who is from School of Environmental Sciences at JNU. The study results have been published in journal Current Science. (India Science Wire)

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

2 days ago

on

September 4, 2026

By

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.

Continue Reading

Latest Science News

Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon begins first mission to International Space Station

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has launched aboard Soyuz MS-29 on his first mission to the International Space Station, where he is expected to spend around eight months conducting research.

Published

2 months ago

on

July 14, 2026

By

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his first journey into space after successfully launching aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 PM on Tuesday. Menon was accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as the three-member crew began their expedition to the orbiting laboratory.

Crew to spend about eight months aboard ISS

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will carry out a range of scientific research and technology demonstration projects during their mission.

The expedition is scheduled to last approximately eight months, with the crew expected to return to Earth in 2027 after completing their planned activities in orbit.

Menon’s maiden spaceflight marks a significant milestone in his astronaut career as he joins the International Space Station crew for long-duration research and operational work.

Continue Reading

Latest Science News

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to meet PM Modi after return from historic space mission

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will meet PM Modi this evening. Parliament will also hold a special discussion on his historic journey.

Published

1 year ago

on

August 18, 2025

By

Subhanshu shukla

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at his official residence in New Delhi.

PM Modi to host meeting with astronaut

According to officials, the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is expected to take place between 5 pm and 5:30 pm. Shukla, who arrived in India on Sunday, will also be part of the National Space Day celebrations scheduled for August 23.

Warm welcome in India

The astronaut was greeted at the airport by his family, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and hundreds of citizens waving the national flag. Shukla had been in the United States for a year, preparing for the Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS the next day. He served as the mission’s pilot.

Emotional note from Shukla

Before his return, Shukla shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing mixed feelings of leaving his space colleagues while being eager to meet his loved ones and people of India. He also quoted a song from the film Swades, which he had chosen as his anthem on the launch day.

Parliament session on India’s space journey

In honour of Shukla’s mission, the Lok Sabha is holding a special session today to discuss “India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS – critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047.” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion would highlight the importance of India’s space achievements and future goals.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com