A new study on sources of PM2.5 in India has been released by Greenpeace and the Air-Weather-Climate (AWC) research group at Louisiana State University. The report is entitled Source Apportionment, Health Effects and Potential Reduction of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).
The top four sources for PM identified in this analysis include coal-fired power plants, industrial emissions, use of solid fuels at the household level and brick kilns. Other key observations include:
- Concentrations of PM2.5 were highest in the Indo-Gangetic region, including northern and eastern India. PM2.5 concentrations were higher during winter and lower during monsoon season.
- Reducing residential emission from solid fuels combustion and reducing
power sector emissions affect PM2.5 concentration most, followed by reducing municipal solid waste burning and new emission standards applying in industry sector. - Except in southern India, where sulfate was the major component of PM2.5, primary organic aerosol (POA) fraction in PM2.5 was highest in all regions of the country.
The press release is available here (in Hindi), the briefing can be accessed here and the full report can be accessed here.
Download the report
H/T: Sunil Dahiya, Greenpeace India
IndiaAQ Hub 