Awareness About Air Pollution-Related Terminologies Low Among Urban Poor In Delhi-NCR: Study

The study conducted from De♋cember 2023 to January 2024 covered 500 people in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) cities of Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurugram. For the s♔urvey, they were divided into two groups -- residents of informal settlements and slums, and formal middle-class settlements.

"Awareness of air pollution-related terminology was significantly lower among the urban poor. Only 10 per cent of people were aware of air pollution ൩terms like AQI (air quality index) and PM 2.5, while 71 per cent of middle-class settlements were aware," the survey "Saaf Saans" conducted by NGO Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group said.

PM 2.5 levels are fine particles that have a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, more than 100 ✱times thinner than a human hair and remain suspended in the air for longer durations and pose h🔯ealth risks as they can enter into the respiratory tract.

The study's🎃 findings also highlighted that 33 per cent of urban poor respondents perceived vehicles as the main cause of air pollution, 27 per cent construction activities and 20 per cent stubble burning.

Social media was found to be the most reliable source of information among 29 per cent of urban poor respondents and 26 per cent of middle-class respondentsꦇ, the survey said.

"Middle-class 💞respondents used air purifiers and indoor plants as measures to reduce exposure to air pollution, while the urban poor depended on face masks and increased water intake," it added.

Campaigns on social media and enf🐟orcing stricter regulations against "open burning" and construction violations among other measures could check air pollution the respondents said, according to the survey report. 

The AQI in Delhi-NCR worsens during the winter months, prompting the government to impose several r🍸estrictions in a phased-manner, including on construction activities and plying of vehicles.