The present study makes an attempt to understand the non-carcionegenic and carcinogenic risks due to the exposure of NCR commuters to the high PM2.5 levels and a comparative analysis of exposure within three kinds of groups- male and female, students, official staff and non-official staff, and normal and overweight/obese.
India has been facing high ambient air pollution levels for many years now. Particulate pollution has been one of the major concerns in this regard as almost all the population of the country is exposed to unhealthy fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) concentration and is considered one of the severely impacted countries in the world due to the same. Some of the worst levels of pollution in this category in the country have been witnessed in the areas of the National Capital Territory and adjoining regions. A large proportion of the exposure to these PM2.5 levels is possibly experienced during daily commutating trips. Hence, it becomes essential to analyze the present status of commuter’s exposure to PM2.5 in the NCR region.
The literature review indicates the need for understanding the risk status of commuters in the concerned region in a recent context and in a more generalizable and cumulative way. Furthermore, these risk assessment studies are usually ending by giving cumulative outputs and interpretations for the total population. However, it is important to note there may be intra-population heterogeneity in this context, which also is needed to be accounted for. For example, outdoor workers, those in informal sector or those engaged in non-official work may be more exposed or at a relatively higer risk to the pollution levels specifically those whose work is more oriented towards commuting such as auto-rickshaw drivers, street vendors, users of cart-vehicles, door-to-door service people etc. Hence, there is a need of solid evidences and study of population in those lines i.e., risk to the official and non-official workers. There are also evidences of difference in exposure to males and females in various studies. Similarly, there are differences observed in the exposure and effects of particulate pollution to normal and obese individuals.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1 Questionnaire Rationale and Design
2.2 Estimation of Exposure Concentration through Commuting
2.3 Estimation of Exposure Rates and Inhaled Doses through Commuting
2.4 Estimation of Hazard Quotient
2.5 Estimation of Lifetime Lung Cancer Risk
2.6 Data Analysis
3. Results and Discussion
3.1 Sample Outcome
3.2 Exposure Concentration
3.2.1 Male vs Female
3.2.2 Normal vs Overweight/Obese
3.2.3 Designation
3.3 Exposure Rate
3.4 Inhaled Dose
3.4.1 Male vs Female
3.4.2 Normal vs Overweight/Obese
3.4.3 Designation
3.5 Hazard Quotient (HQ)
3.5.1 Male vs Female
3.5.2 Normal vs Overweight/Obese
3.5.3 Designation
3.6 Lung Cancer Risk
3.6.1 Male vs Female
3.6.2 Normal vs Overweight/Obese
3.6.3 Designation
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The study aims to evaluate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks for commuters in the Delhi-NCR region exposed to high levels of PM2.5, specifically comparing exposure patterns across different demographic groups and commuting modes.
- Analysis of PM2.5 exposure levels across varying micro-environments during daily commutes.
- Estimation of inhaled doses and hazard quotients for commuters based on survey data.
- Comparative analysis of health risks between gender, BMI categories, and professional designations.
- Assessment of lifetime lung cancer risk associated with commuting-based particulate matter exposure.
- Development of recommendations for policy interventions and commuting safety in the Delhi-NCR region.
Excerpt from the Book
INTRODUCTION
India has been facing high ambient air pollution levels for many years now (Chatterji, 2020). Particulate pollution has been one of the major concerns in this regard as almost all the population of the country is exposed to unhealthy fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration (World Bank, 2021) and is considered one of the severely impacted countries in the world due to the same (Singh et al., 2022). Some of the worst levels of pollution in this category in the country have been witnessed in the areas of the National Capital Territory and adjoining regions (Chatterji, 2020; EPCA & CSE, 2018, p. 4). A large proportion of the exposure to these PM2.5 levels is possibly experienced during daily commutating trips (Zhang et al., 2021). Hence, it becomes essential to analyze the present status of commuters' exposure to PM2.5 in the NCR region.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the PM2.5 air pollution crisis in India, specifically the NCR region, and identifies the health risks to commuters as a critical research area.
2. Methodology: Details the design of the questionnaire used to collect data on commuting patterns and the mathematical models employed for estimating exposure, inhaled doses, hazard quotients, and cancer risks.
3. Results and Discussion: Presents the findings regarding PM2.5 exposure, inhalation doses, and associated health risks, broken down by gender, BMI, and professional designation.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, highlighting that non-official workers and active commuters face higher risks, and advocates for creating safer commuting corridors.
Keywords
PM2.5, Delhi-NCR, Commuter Exposure, Health Risk Assessment, Hazard Quotient, Lung Cancer Risk, Inhaled Dose, Particulate Matter, Micro-environments, Air Pollution, Commuting Patterns, Non-official workers, Active Commuting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The study investigates the human health risks, specifically non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic, linked to the exposure of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during daily commuting in the Delhi-NCR region.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The paper covers PM2.5 concentration in various transport micro-environments, the calculation of inhaled doses, and the assessment of health risks based on variables like gender, body weight, and occupation.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The main goal is to provide a quantitative assessment of the current exposure status of commuters in the Delhi-NCR region and to compare the risks across different social and physiological groups.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a questionnaire-based survey to record exposure time and micro-environment habits, followed by the application of standard USEPA formulas to calculate exposure concentrations, inhaled doses, hazard quotients, and cancer risks.
What does the main body address?
The main body examines the descriptive statistics for exposure, inhaled doses, and risks, comparing results across categories like male vs. female, normal vs. overweight individuals, and students vs. various staff categories.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include PM2.5, Delhi-NCR, Commuter Exposure, Health Risk Assessment, Hazard Quotient, Inhaled Dose, and Particulate Matter.
What distinguishes the risk profile of non-official workers?
The study finds that non-official workers face excessively high exposure and risks due to their working and commuting habits in open-air spaces, often involving extensive walking.
How is the health risk for active commuters evaluated?
The researchers acknowledge that while active commuters (walking/cycling) face higher PM2.5 exposure, the exercise benefits may help offset some health issues; however, the study emphasizes the need for safer infrastructure and corridors for these individuals.
Does the level of obesity influence commuter risk?
The results suggest that overweight/obese individuals in the sample are exposed to higher levels than normal-weight individuals, though the study notes this may be linked to specific lifestyle patterns rather than physiological differences alone.
- Citar trabajo
- Lovish Raheja (Autor), Prerna Goel (Autor), Muskan Rawat (Autor), Aditi Sharma (Autor), Spandan Kumar (Autor), Vishal Bijani (Autor), 2022, Risk Assessment of Fine Particulate Matter to Commuters in Delhi-NCR, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1337259
