GUWAHATI: A recent study conducted by IIT Kanpur has revealed alarming levels of winter air pollution in Guwahati, with PM2.5 concentrations peaking at 113.05 µg/m³. This is nearly three times above India’s safe limit of 40 µg/m³ and significantly surpasses the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) 24-hour threshold of 60 µg/m³.
The study, which deployed a dense network of low-cost air quality sensors, found that winter pollution levels in Guwahati are more than four times higher than in the monsoon season (32.36 µg/m³). A major contributor to the city’s deteriorating air quality is transboundary air pollution, with 47% of pollutants originating from the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and 32% from Bangladesh.
Key Findings:
Seasonal Variations – Pollution levels in winter are over four times higher compared to the monsoon months.
Transboundary Pollution – A large portion of pollutants comes from IGP and Bangladesh, worsening air quality.
Meteorological Factors – Low temperatures, stagnant air, and a shallow boundary layer trap pollutants close to the surface.
Pollution Hotspots – NH-27, industrial zones, and high-traffic commercial areas** recorded the highest pollution levels.
The research underscores the need for targeted air quality management strategies to combat rising pollution, including:
- Stricter industrial emission controls in pollution hotspots.
- Development of green buffer zones to reduce PM2.5 concentrations.
- Public health advisories during peak pollution months.
- Tighter restrictions on vehicular emissions and waste burning.
“This study confirms that Guwahati’s air pollution is not just a localised issue but is heavily influenced by transboundary air masses from IGP and Bangladesh,” said Prof. Sachchida Nand Tripathi, the study’s corresponding author and an expert committee member for NCAP at IIT Kanpur.
The study, published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (Springer Nature) under the ATMAN Initiative, leveraged Atmos real-time air quality sensors, developed by Respirer Living Sciences, India. Researchers tracked PM2.5 levels from July 2022 to June 2023, producing the most detailed air pollution map of Guwahati to date.
“By deploying a dense sensor network, we identified hyperlocal pollution sources that were previously undocumented. This level of monitoring is crucial for implementing effective interventions,” said Ronak Sutaria, CEO & Founder of Respirer Living Sciences.
With Guwahati’s air pollution reaching dangerous levels, experts stress the urgent need for action to protect public health and improve air quality in the region.