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Human Exposure to Particulate Matter and Their Risk Assessment over Delhi, India

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Abstract

Human exposure to particulate matter was determined in the urban environment of Delhi. Monitoring was done on an 8 h exposure basis. Samples were collected using an eight stages impactor (Marple Cascade Impactor) at five sites during December 2010 to March 2011. Fifteen samples were collected and each stage samples were analyzed gravimetrically and chemically (for metals). The maximum (2,118.45 μg/m3) exposure due to particulate matter (PM) was at Okhala, an industrial site and the minimum (490.17 μg/m3) in Jawaharlal Nehru University an educational Institute. Exposure due to metals (viz. Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, Ni, Co) at the five locations was mostly dominated by Pb, Mn, Ni and least dominated by Cd,Cu and Co. Okhala was most polluted area and Jawaharlal Nehru University (forest area, out of industrial and commercial hub) the least. Pb, Ni, Co were dominant metal aerosols of Okhala, while Kaushambi, being fully residential area but located near waste site and national highway, was rich in Pb, Mn and Ni. Pb concentration exceeded government guideline.

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Acknowledgments

Author deeply acknowledged University Grant Commission (UGC), Government of India, for fellowship. Author also thankful to Mr. Rajesh Kumar and Miss Pooja Singh, for their help during work period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Rajesh Kushwaha, Himanshu Lal, Arun Srivastava & Vinod K. Jain

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  1. Rajesh Kushwaha
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  2. Himanshu Lal
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  3. Arun Srivastava
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  4. Vinod K. Jain
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Correspondence to Arun Srivastava.

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Kushwaha, R., Lal, H., Srivastava, A. et al. Human Exposure to Particulate Matter and Their Risk Assessment over Delhi, India. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 35, 497–504 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-012-0085-z

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