Pollution and pathogens: Double trouble for Delhi’s residents, says study

September 2, 2025 5:10 PM

Pollution and pathogens: Double trouble for Delhi’s residents, says study

Invisible microbes may be lurking in Delhi’s polluted air, silently increasing health risks for millions of residents. A new study by scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has revealed that airborne pathogenic bacteria - responsible for respiratory, gastrointestinal, oral, and skin infections—are twice as abundant in densely populated parts of Delhi compared to less crowded regions. The research, published in the in...

Maternal exposure to PM2.5 may lead to adverse birth outcomes: Study

November 30, 2024 12:14 PM

Maternal exposure to PM2.5 may lead to adverse birth outcomes: Study

Pregnant women’s exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) may alter immune responses, potentially leading to adverse birth outcomes, according to a new study.   While previous research has linked PM2.5 exposure to maternal and child health complications, including preeclampsia, low birth weight, and developmental delays in early childhood, the new study, published in 'Science Advances', is the first to specifically examine the relationship between PM2.5 and maternal and fetal heal...

Pakistan’s Punjab sets up ‘smog war room’ to combat hazardous air

November 6, 2024 11:53 AM

Pakistan’s Punjab sets up ‘smog war room’ to combat hazardous air

Pakistan's Punjab set up a "smog war room" to tackle severe pollution, officials said, as poor air quality in Lahore pushed the capital of the eastern province to the top of the rankings as the world's most polluted city. Live rankings by Swiss group IQAir gave the city a pollution index score of 1165, followed by the Indian capital of New Delhi, with 299. "The war room committee will review weather and air quality forecasts... daily and monitor the performance and actions of field officers," ...

No relief from pollution, Delhi air remains very poor

November 6, 2024 10:53 AM

No relief from pollution, Delhi air remains very poor

Delhi's air quality remained 'very poor' on Wednesday morning with a thin layer of smog covering several parts of the national capital for the sixth consecutive day post-Diwali. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 358 as of 8 am today (Wednesday). Alipur recorded an AQI of 372, Bawana at 412, Dwarka Sector 8 at 355, Mundka at 419, Najafgarh at 354, New Moti Bagh at 381, Rohini at 401, Punjabi Bagh at 388 and RK Puram...

Delhi wants artificial rain to tackle worsening air pollution

November 5, 2024 4:54 PM

Delhi wants artificial rain to tackle worsening air pollution

Delhi is keen to use artificial rain to fight air pollution this year, its Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday, as deteriorating air quality in the region led to an increase in respiratory illnesses. Large swathes of north India battle pollution each winter as cold air traps dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from farm fires in the breadbasket states of Punjab and Haryana, shrouding the national capital and its suburbs in a toxic haze. Cloud-seeding - the method of triggering rain by...