Air pollution in New Delhi auto-rickshaw

Measurements of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) inside a New Delhi auto-rickshaw. Watch for the big diesel exhaust plume at 1:03!

This video was taken as part of a 4 month measurement campaign to quantify air pollution levels in New Delhi auto rickshaws in 2010. Over 180 hours of measurements, the average PM2.5 concentration in New Delhi auto-rickshaws was ~ 200 µg / m^3. In this video, the peak concentrations exceed 2,000 µg / m^3.

For context, the World Health Organization recommends that annual-average concentrations in urban areas not exceed 10 µg / m^3. The US comes close to meeting this guideline for ambient air. On-roadway concentrations are typically higher. For example, measurements of on-roadway air quality in Los Angeles found PM2.5 levels in the range of 25-50 µg / m3 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.09.057 ).

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• autorickshaw
• particulate matter
• Delhi
• India
• pollution
• diesel
• black carbon
• exhaust
• auto
• rickshaw
• air