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Physico-chemical characterisation of size segregated particulate pollution: Implications to airborne Microbes and human health over Delhi-NCR

Status: New

Lab/Organization
Name & address of the Laboratory/Organization CSIR - National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Website address https://www.nplindia.org
Affiliated to which Department/Ministry Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
CSR Registration Number CSR00017422
Registration under 12A
Registration under 80G
Name of the CSR Nodal Dr Neeraj Bhanot
Contact information of CSR Nodal 011-45608350, neeraj.bhanot@nplindia.org
Principal Investigator Dr. Sumit Kumar Mishra , mishrask@nplindia.org
Co- Principal Investigator (Co-PI) 1. Dr. Sachchidanand Singh, ssingh@nplindia.org
Project Detail
Objective on the basis of need
  1. To evaluate the acute and chronic health effects of PM exposure on the human health based on particle characteristics.
  2. To Conduct in vivo experiment/modelling for determining the potential health effects of particulate phase state and viscosity.
  3. To understand interaction of airborne microbes during haze events over Delhi-NCR.
Executive summary of the proposed project (In 250 words)

Aerosols in the ambient atmosphere vary in size, shape, density, phase state, viscosity, and chemical composition (Mishra et al., 2015, 2017, 2018). Due to its complexity, it is extremely important for studying their potential effects on human health (Ahlawat et al., 2020, 2022; Fatima et al., 2022, 2023) and climate (Mishra and Tripathi, 2008, Mishra et al, 2008, 2012; Ahlawat et al., 2019; Sarla et al., 2021, 2022). There are only a limited number of studies based on clinical evidence regarding the human health impact of particulate matter (PM) over India.

Alongside chemical pollutants in particulate matter (especially during Haze episodes in winter period over Delhi-NCR), airborne microorganisms present in bioaerosol particles significantly impact the atmospheric environment and human health. Bioaerosols, the biological components of air pollutants, consist of bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, and fragments of animals and plants. Most bacteria and viruses in aerosols are encapsulated in transparent, gel-like organic particles, which protect them from UV radiation and dehydration. Bacteria can adhere to aeolian porous dust particles and thus exhibit high potential to travel long distances. Although there is research on the health effects of particulate matter (PM) and bioaerosols separately, limited work has been done on their combined effect on human health. Investigating these two types of particles as dual stressors to humans could provide a deeper understanding of the plausible effects and will generate a knowledge base that will help us with remedial measures.
Technology Readiness Level (If not a new project but an advancement of existing know how) Knowledge Generation and Implications to Society
Outomes or Deliverables
  • Physico-chemical database of particulate pollution over Delhi-NCR
  • Interaction of airborne microorganism with particulate pollution
Project aligned with which most relevant UN SDGs Goal 3 - Good Health & Well-Being
Duration (In years) 3 yrs
Expected Impact
  • To get better understanding of airborne diseases (like covid)
  • To assist policymakers in creating policies that consider the health impacts of particulate pollution.
  • To reduce uncertainties associated with climatic impact over Delhi-NCR
Implementation model (self- implemented/ outsourced partnership) Self- implemented
Total Budget (Recurring +Non-Recurring Expenses) 2.5 crores
 
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