Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Study: Delhi Bus Travellers Inhale Lower Soot Than Those In Cars
Buses in Delhi use CNG to power their vehicles, so they do not emit carbon. Commuters of buses sit at a higher level compared to autos or cars and hence avoid dense pollution layer near road surface.
A recent study revealed that travelling by bus in Delhi exposes you to the lowest collections of fine-particle pollutants called black carbon, or soot, compared to other modes of transport, even less than the exposure you are inclined to get travelling in a car.
As per TOI, the study, published in Elsevier journal on environmental research, evaluated people's exposure to pollution in the capital city of Delhi. For outdoor exposure, it examined commuters in buses, cars and autorickshaws.
The highest risk of inhaling soot, a product of incomplete fuel combustion with harmful impacts on the lungs and heart were found to be commuters in autorickshaws.
"Exposure to particles is lower in cars than on two-wheelers and autorickshaws, but driving a car with open windows could lead to similar levels (of exposure) as in an auto," said Pallavi Pant, lead author of the study.
The author found that exposure to pollution inside a car was surprising. "From the current analyses, black carbon concentrations in buses seem to be lower in comparison to other modes, but more research is needed to confirm this, both in Delhi and other cities. AC use can help reduce exposure in cars," she said.
The study also revealed that not only being outdoor exposes you to pollution, even your home, but especially kitchen could also expose you to PM 2.5 pollutants.
The study found high exposure to PM 2.5 pollutants in indoor activities such as cleaning or cooking.
According to Pant, exhaust emissions on the roads could be far more toxic compared to pollutants arising from cooking or cleaning. "Cooking emissions often comprise ultrafine particles that can be harmful," Pant said.
"Research on ultrafine particles is ongoing, but so far we know they can have several adverse health effects. " Pant recommended opening the windows and usage of exhaust fans while cooking or cleaning could avoid collection of such pollutants.
{promotion-urls}
Continue with Google