India, Sept. 2 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:
Airborne pathogens, bacteria capable of causing infections in the lungs, gut, mouth and skin, are twice as abundant in densely populated parts of Delhi compared to less crowded regions.
Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in India is one of the most densely populated regions in the world with highest air pollution. During winter, entrance of western disturbance causes sudden drop in atmospheric temperature, thereby subsequently increasing relative humidity (RH), which is responsible for stagnant wind and low boundary layer height, favouring accumulation of lower atmospheric pollutants over IGP. Delhi, an urban region within IGP, is most populous and rapidly growing city in the country and one of the most polluted cities of the world.
A significant increase in airborne microbial population has earlier been reported in winter over IGP. However, there is limited information regarding the effect of meteorology, air pollution and population on airborne bacterial communities that can help understand their impact on human health.
A study of health risks posed by airborne pathogens over urban metropolitan city like Delhi in India by scientists from Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST) has revealed for the first-time that airborne pathogenic bacteria mainly responsible for Respiratory, Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT), Oral and Skin infections are two times higher over densely populated urban regions due to higher concentrations of tiny particles PM2.5.
PM2.5-the microscopic dust specks help bacteria to hitch ride through the city air. Since the particles are small enough to sneak deep into the lungs they act as carriers of the pathogenic bacteria, thus spreading the infection to different parts of the body.
The rest of the document can be viewed at https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2163068
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
