Air quality of Beijing (China) and Delhi (India) and impact on Human Health and Climate in Asia

Abstract:

Air pollution has been estimated to represent a significant fraction of the total mortality attributable to 26 risk factors assessed by the World Health Organization global burden of disease project. Delhi is distributed over 1484 km² with population density of 11297/km² (as in 2011) and surrounded by highly industrialized National Capital region (NCR) with population density of 1050/km². Beijing covers an area of 16,800 km², with population density of 1300/km² (upto 2014). It is located at the foothills of Yan Mountains and Taihang Mountains, in the North China Plain. Both these cities suffer with poor air quality and are severely affected by dense haze, fog and smog during summer and winter seasons. Earlier studies in developing countries have concentrated on limited air quality parameters. Detailed results from trace gases (O₃, NO, NO₂, and CO) and particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) in two Asian megacities, Delhi (India) and Beijing (China), will be presented. Trace gases and particulate matter in Beijing were collected at 31 sites during 2013-2014. The measurements in Delhi were carried out at 8 sites during October 2010 - March 2013. The annual average of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, O₃, NO, NO₂, and CO over Delhi in 2013 is 199 ug/m³, 123 ug/m³, 25.6 ppb, 21.5 ppb, 15.8 ppb, 1.7 ppb, respectively. The annual average of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, O₃, NO₂, CO, and SO₂ over Beijing is 113 ug/m³, 85 ug/m³, 51 ug/m³, 46 ug/m³, 1.3 mg/m³, 23 ug/m³, respectively. The annual and seasonal variations of trace gases and particulate matter in Beijing and Delhi are also analyzed, as well as spatial changes of air pollution in these two cities. A comparative analysis in these two cities and the sources of pollution and their impact on human health and Asian climate will be discussed.