Airborne pollutants

Airborne pollutants degrade indoor and outdoor air quality. Understanding the environmental factors at play is more important than ever. As global urbanisation and industrial activities intensify, harmful pollutants such as particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds continue to rise. Airborne pollutants, a diverse group of harmful substances, pose a significant threat to air quality and human health, contributing to various diseases. Tackling air quality is one of our most pressing environmental issues.

Air quality management today is more than just measuring pollution levels. It is a combination of awareness, innovation, and responsibility. As urbanisation and industrial activities increase, so does the presence of harmful airborne pollutants, fine dust particles, toxic gases from vehicles and factories, and chemicals released from paints, cleaners, and other household products. These pollutants affect both indoor and outdoor environments, posing serious health and environmental risks. Technology, when used at scale, holds the power to reduce exposure, improve well-being, and drive long-term environmental change by mitigating the risks.

Clean air: Mitigating the risks

For industries, continuous monitoring helps optimise processes and ensures regulatory transparency. It enables government partners to assess compliance and determine further mitigation steps. We are aware that pollution has various sources, and the major concern is that different sectors and settings have various types of pollution. Mr Sandeep Narang, Senior Consultant, Air Quality and Sustainable Construction, recalls the impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown; however, later, the Delhi air quality was back at AQI 50, indicating air pollution. Dr Amit Passi, Senior Program Associate – Air Quality, WRI India, agrees with Mr Narang that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was identified that the virus was airborne and dispersed through PM2.5 particles. Without monitoring, we cannot detect concentrations or safeguard our living spaces.

It was also evident that when automobile emissions ceased, pollution levels decreased. So, it is we who are polluting the environment. No comforting words for industry owners or anyone, as we are responsible. Emphasising what India needs, Mr Narang states that we need our solutions. No one from outside can come and teach us.  With monitoring data, we can identify pollutant concentrations and develop targeted solutions accordingly. Another focus is working on construction-related pollution in urban areas.

Dr. Khushboo Sharma, an Air Pollution Analyst at ICIMOD in Kathmandu, notes that in urban spaces, vehicular emissions, road and construction dust, waste burning, and biomass burning are visible. These are the Major sources observed. Similarly, brick kilns and power plants, which use cement and steel, are significant contributors. These issues are particularly relevant in the Hindu Kush Himalayas and South Asia. In rural settings, the Major sources are biomass burning, crop residue burning, and household waste burning, including stubble fires. In mountain regions, transported pollution, including local emissions and wildfires, is are Major source. Regarding indoor air pollution, we are concerned about biomass, cookstoves, and Volatile organic compounds. These are the major indoor and outdoor sources we have seen in different settings.

Real-time monitoring can help manage pollution from different sources. It helps detect spikes, issue advisories, implement traffic restrictions, promote the adoption of cleaner fuels, and control construction activities.

In rural areas, seasonal variations can be addressed by supporting communities with improved cookstoves and heating systems based on monitoring data. In high-altitude mountains, monitoring reveals that pollution is not just local but also transported, making it a transboundary issue that respects no boundaries. To identify sources and develop solutions, monitoring is essential; otherwise, mitigation is not possible.

Monitoring and regulations

Dr. Amit Passi emphasises the importance of monitoring for regulatory compliance. Monitoring establishes a baseline and enables the development of both short-term and long-term solutions. This is not possible without government support—even installing a sensor or an instrument requires it.

He notes that regulatory action is important. The government has provided standards for industries, vehicle emissions, and technology design. If we do not monitor, it is hard to check compliance. For example, we see vehicles on the road that are over 10–15 years old emitting black smoke. It is visible, but no action is taken. Regulation should be stricter to address these problems, and significant pollution can be reduced.

While monitoring data analysis is very important. Dr Ajay Nagpure, Scientist, Urban Nexus Lab, Princeton University, USA, says we also need to ask: data for what and for whom? If it is only for research, that is fine; however, our current objective is to create awareness of air pollution. We need to translate data into something the public can understand. There should be open-access data so that anyone can access and understand it. As for sources, they vary by region. In cities, transportation is a leading source, but in the last decade, construction dust and traffic-related dust have emerged as significant sources. Taking a clue from Dr. Khushboo Sharma, he states that at the national level, household cooking is a Major source, especially in northern India. Each region needs its own tailored mitigation strategy.

Aligning with Mr  Narang’s viewpoint, Mr Rouble Munjal, Marketing Head, Camfil India, mentioned how during COVID, air became a Major topic because the WHO stated that the virus was airborne. Everyone was asked to stay indoors for a longer period. Particulate matter acts as a carrier for the virus to others. Millions were affected, resulting in massive economic and human losses. From a policy perspective, especially for India, immediate and practical solutions are required. Indoors can be more polluted than outdoors—even if the outside AQI is 50, the indoor AQI can be 250. He is categorical in stating that monitoring indoor spaces is essential, as we spend 90 per cent of our time there. Secondly, once we monitor, we need the right solutions, such as filtration systems, based on that data.

Filtration systems in public places

Humans matter most. Elaborating on observations, Mr. Rouble Munjal says  PM1 stands for “People Matter First “ and raises a pertinent point – can we install filters? We must contain pollution at the source. PM1 is an ultrafine particle that we are not even monitoring. We must first check the coarser particles of PM10. Most of it comes from crop burning or construction activities—something that can be checked at the first stage. Then, we can talk about PM2.5 and, eventually, PM1 levels. We have a long way to go, but yes, indoors, we can manage it with the right filtration systems and global standards that are currently available.

Moreover, human beings matter most. These ultrafine particles go into the lungs. Dr. Passi specifically talked about human health. The data from India certifies that living in the Delhi NCR region can reduce your lifespan by up to 12 years. Even if you attempt yoga or go for a morning run, it can still hurt your health. You might lose a day or two of life just like that. We must take this seriously—start indoors and then scale up to outdoor-level action. Hence, both data analysis and data gaps are important.

Digital transformation vs public awareness

For clean air solutions, thinking digital is something everyone uses nowadays—a device that is always in hand. So, it can work on both fronts. Mr. Rouble sees digital transformation as a powerful tool for both education and engagement. Through data-driven campaigns, influencer partnerships, and forums like these, clean air awareness content can be streamlined into user-centric data. We can then move toward making clean air a mainstream health conversation, not just a technical issue.

All platforms should generate awareness and educate stakeholders on topics like PM1. We are actively creating awareness around it. There are different tools we can use. Ultimately, it is about trustworthy information that can help people make healthier decisions for themselves.

Environmental data and action

According to Dr Khushboo, there is no data or information available from various sectors, especially from mountain regions. The data focuses on cities and lowland plains. The high-altitude mountain regions lack specific data, although we observe transboundary effects affecting glaciers when discussing black carbon. The issue is that some emissions are local, while others are transported. For that, monitoring is essential, but data remains scarce in certain parts of the region. For example, the Sikkim Himalaya is a booming tourist destination, yet focused studies are lacking.

To bridge this gap, expanding monitoring networks is essential to at least get a preliminary understanding of pollution levels in specific areas. Monitoring alone—just obtaining concentration numbers—would not help. We also need to identify polluting sectors and their impact on pollutant levels. Source apportionment studies, technical training, and establishing labs are equally important.

Moreover, building capacity among researchers, government partners, NGOs, and citizen scientists is essential. The researchers, policymakers, and government departments are working in silos. A common platform is the need for data to be discussed and used effectively for policymaking. Lastly, open access to data is crucial. Without it, even policymakers struggle to understand the situation in specific regions.

Mr Narang said earlier Delhi had 10 air quality monitors, and there was pollution. Now we have 50—and we are more polluted. So, what is the preference – more data and less practical action on the ground, or less data and more ground-level action? A balance is needed. Citing contrasting views, he elaborated that in a country like India, there are two examples of cleanliness, not air quality.

Firstly, why is Japan clean? In Japan, students clean their schools—there are no cleaners hired for that. In India, cleaners do that job. Second is Rwanda—a landlocked country in central Africa, similar in size to Haryana, with a population of 1.5 crore—has the cleanest capital, Kigali. They call it the Switzerland of Africa. Why so? Because on the fourth Saturday of every month, citizens work for three hours to clean the city. If they do not, they face fines. Then, for the rest of the month, nobody litters.

What are we doing? Why do people vote based on air quality? We still elect the same governments. Citing an instance, he says, at one time, a girl being raped in a Delhi bus—led to the entire city protesting. Why can not the same happen for clean air, for a clean India? Citizens must get involved along with the government. And action at the ground level must happen.

Dr Ajay Nagpure quipped that Delhi has multiple monitoring stations. But remote or mountain regions do not have even one. We need to define our thresholds. What are we using the data for? If Delhi has 15 monitoring stations, are we utilising the data? If we increase it to 200 stations, will it provide hyper-local solutions?

Currently, we require city-level strategies. Neighbourhood-level solutions can come later. Let us focus on filling data gaps in areas with no monitoring—especially in mountainous and remote locations. Strategically, deploying sensors will make more sense than placing hundreds in one city without results.

Sustainable and breathable future

For a sustainable future, Dr. Amit Passi is optimistic, stating it starts with us. Over the next five years, community engagement and behaviour changes are crucial. Most of the time, we are the ones polluting. Yet, we blame the government for not doing enough. But people are not ready to change. According to Dr Khushboo, key priorities in the years ahead include enhancing data collection and evidence-based practices, empowering communities, developing their ability to interpret data, strengthening regulatory systems and accountability, and promoting scientific dialogue and international collaboration.

Mr. Rouble is of the view that it starts at home. Everything begins at home. If you want change, see what you are breathing and what you are creating. Concluding, Mr Narang says, before setting net-zero goals for the country or the city, set them for yourself. The valid points surface – am I sitting at 26°C on the air conditioner, turning off lights when not needed, or am I avoiding plastic?

Conclusively, start with your net-zero lifestyle, and then move to your family, community, city, and finally, the nation.

Dr. Amit Passi, Senior Program Associate – Air Quality, WRI India.

Monitoring establishes a baseline for creating both short-term and long-term solutions, which requires the support of the government to be effective.

Mr Sandeep Narang, Senior Consultant, Air Quality and Sustainable Construction

Before setting net-zero goals for the country or the city, set them for yourself.

Dr. Khushboo Sharma, Air Pollution Analyst, ICIMOD, Kathmandu

Real-time monitoring can help manage pollution from different sources. It helps detect spikes and issue advisories.

Mr. Rouble Munjal, Marketing Head, Camfil India

We have a long way to go, but yes, indoors, we can manage it with the right filtration systems and global standards that are currently available.

Dr. Ajay Nagpure, Scientist, Urban Nexus Lab, Princeton University, USA

While monitoring data analysis is very important, we also need to ask: data for what and for whom?