IIT-Kanpur's mobile lab and AI to map solutions for air pollution in Delhi, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• IIT-Kanpur researchers used a mobile lab in May-June to measure air pollution at Anand Vihar and Dwarka in Delhi.
• The mobile lab is equipped with advanced instruments and AI to pinpoint sources of pollution.
• Anand Vihar's average PM 2.5 concentration was 63 µg/m3, with road dust contributing 34%.
• Dwarka's PM 2.5 averaged about 38 µg/m3, dominated by secondary organic aerosols.
• The AI model achieved over 90% accuracy in identifying pollution sources in Lucknow.

Detailed Insights:

• The mobile lab, costing over Rs 22 crore, houses instruments typically found in advanced atmospheric research facilities.
• The lab includes a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) and a real-time metal monitor.
• In Anand Vihar, over half of the pollution (55%) was organic matter, with sulphur-rich particles contributing 26.9% and chlorine-rich emissions 16.7%.
• The study highlights that Delhi has multiple pollution problems varying by neighborhood, time of day, and season.
• The AI model is trained to establish the relationship between sensor data and molecular-level measurements to identify pollution sources.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• PM 2.5: Fine inhalable particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less.
• Aerosol Mass Spectrometer: An instrument that analyzes the chemical composition of airborne particles.
• Black Carbon: A marker of diesel exhaust and solid-fuel burning.