Road dust is less contaminated with organic compounds post-monsoon in Delhi NCR. Credit: Subhra Priyadarshini
Road dust in the pre-monsoon season in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) of India is more contaminated with organic compounds and hazardous elements compared to the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, research reveals. This is potentially due to the movement of contaminated particles from nearby areas, the study says.
The study also highlights that organic contamination in Delhi NCR's road dust was relatively lower than in other countries.
Led by scientists Papiya Mandal and Tarang K. Gondwal from CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, the research team analyzed roadside dust samples from six sites in Delhi NCR. They focused on the presence of hydrophobic organic contaminants and Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulphur (CHNS) species — used as a marker for health risk assessment — in road dust particles. They found varying concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — ranging from 0.27 to 605.80 µg/kg and 0.01 to 41.26 µg/kg, respectively. The highest concentrations were observed during the pre-monsoon season.
The study suggests that the relatively lower levels of organic contamination in Delhi NCR's road dust could present opportunities for sustainable initiatives such as creation of green belts to mitigate air pollution and also minimize the need for landfill sites.
