Seasonal and Temporal Distribution of Urban Fine Particulates and Associated Health Risk Analysis: A Long-Term Measurement (2018–2020) Analysis in Megacity Delhi
摘要
Understanding the dynamics of urban air pollution demands a multifaceted approach due to its complex nature. The present research studied various aspects of air pollution from 2018 to 2020 in the megacity of Delhi and estimated particulate matter-based negative impacts on human health and its contribution toward mortality. This study aims to identify the seasonal fluctuations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 and gaseous pollutants for a long term in the megacity of Delhi and to evaluate the health impact assessment using AirQ+ software. Seasonal and temporal profiles of various pollutants are explored, and estimation of long and short-term effects such as stroke, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other major diseases is analyzed using AirQ+ software for Delhi city using population and annual mean concentration of pollutants. The maximum and minimum annual mean concentration for PM2.5 and PM10 was recorded in 2018 (145.75 and 228.82) and 2020 (74.896 and 119.97), respectively. The seasonal pattern in 2018 and 2019 was winter > Post-Monsoon > Summer > Monsoon. In 2020 the seasonal pattern was Post-Monsoon > Winter > Summer > Monsoon due to the effect of restriction and seasonal factors. The annual mean concentration health impact followed All-Cause > IHD > Stroke > LC > COPD > ALRI for long-term exposure and for short-term exposure, and it was HA-RD > All causes > HA-CVD. The year 2018 records higher mortality, and the long-term exposure of all causes reached maximum mortality of 1,44,449 individuals. Air quality improvement helps improve human health in polluted cities and can be achieved by implementing strict policies to help combat air quality and fight against climate change.