A study to find out how much PM2.5 you are inhaling daily

New Delhi: The daily readings tell us of the quantity of pollutants of certain sizes present in the air. But how much do these, say particles measuring 2.5 micrometres, do we inhale every day? And is your car safer in the circumstances or do you breathe in fewer polluting particles on a bicycle? A new study being conducted by the University College of Medical Sciences, NEERI and Delhi University’s environmental studies department may soon have the answers. recently, the study will use ‘personal air samplers’, or devices that simulate human inhalation, to determine the volume of polluting particles entering the body.

The air samplers allow the installation of multiple filters. Each is able to record the concentration in the air of different particulate matter, say PM10, PM2.5, even PM1. The device will be deployed on an individual through the course of his day, travelling with him in the car he uses, taking in the air at his work place and also record the air quality in his home. Experts said pollution exposure of people belonging to different income groups will be analysed through this process to determine how different lifestyles and mode of transports can affect the actual impact of pollution on the body.

“A total of 720 filter papers will be collected during this process from different individuals, who will belong to a range from low-level income groups to high income earners,” disclosed Arun Sharma, professor at UCMS and study leader. “The device will be able to simulate the inhalation of pollution at, say, a construction site or in an indoor office. Similarly, bicycles, bikes and cars will have different levels of exposure and we can analyse all of these.”

Sharma added that the aim is to get an idea of the sources of pollution and which parts of the body are most affected by the pollutants. “If the individual is going through a particular area each day, we can analyse where high pollution concentration is being recorded and each sector can be broadly classified,” he said.

The research head revealed that the samples would be analysed by NEERI, and the result could help make rough estimates on the sources contributing to overall pollution at different points of the day. The deadline for the completion of the study is next winter, though the preliminary test results will be released by March.

Each filter system costs over Rs 1 lakh, and the study team says they will be used for considerable periods of time by each test individual to ensure accurate readings. “Only two to three such systems will be deployed at a time because we need consistent readings for a decent period of time before shifting to another individual,” explained Sharma.