Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Heat islands pose serious threat to Delhiites' health -Jayashree Nandi

Heat islands pose serious threat to Delhiites' health -Jayashree Nandi

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Feb 23, 2014   modified Modified on Feb 23, 2014
-The Times of India


NEW DELHI: Localized air pollution, posing an environmental and health challenge, has been linked to the presence of 'heat islands' in Delhi - pockets which are significantly warmer than their surroundings.

A study of these localized 'hot spots', compiled after a controversy over a Delhi versus Beijing pollution scare, revealed that vehicular congestion in conjunction with highly built-up areas is creating worrying levels of pollution, affecting a significant population.

Results of the study, prepared by the system of air quality forecasting and research (SAFAR), show that at some locations in the city, the temperature is a clear 3 to 4 degrees higher than the immediate surroundings. These zones are prone to higher incidence of fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, that is linked to health hazards as the particles tend to get lodged in lungs.

According to Gufran Beig, director of SAFAR, "UHI doesn't just cause a rise in temperature but also explains high pollution levels in certain parts of Delhi."

He explained, "If the ground-level temperature is high then fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) which is linked to respiratory problems can remain suspended and does not escape. Increased emissions of volatile organic compounds from vehicle exhaust play a role in increasing ground-level ozone. Emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are also higher in these places."

Though official statistics had refuted the adverse comparison with Beijing, the ministry of earth sciences had sought a report on local spikes in pollution levels.

The Safar project, conducted by a team from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) led by Dr Dilip Chate, studied a noticeable variability in level of air pollution within short distances in Delhi that seems linked to large scale changes in land use. They have been collating temperature data for the UHI study since end of 2011.

With vehicle numbers, associated with large amount of "anthropogenic heat", giving rise to UHIs, the project examined data from Safar's automatic weather network and different landscape types in Delhi.

Winds speeds and population data were collated and integrated with temperature gradients to arrive at UHIs.

Safar selected 11 automatic weather stations in Delhi along with populations that fall within the impact radius of 2 km of these areas of high heat zones and found a fairly clear link between heavily built up areas, high population density and vehicular congestion.

UHIs are linked to traffic congestions and large main roads as can be seen by hot spots like the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, CWG Village, Talkatora sports complexes. Delhi University (DU) is located about 500 m away from a main road.

Author of the study, Dr Chate said the study was mainly taken up to document meteorological changes in UHI but it may be a good indicator for pollution levels too. "Our preliminary findings show a correlation with air pollution. We have noticed that stations like Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and Delhi University regularly record high air pollution levels. But for this study we are analyzing on UHIs in Delhi," he said.

These islands may have formed both due to heavy vehicular movement near these places and because most of the area is concretized near these locations. The study is in the process of being published in a scientific journal.


The Times of India, 23 February, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Heat-islands-pose-serious-threat-to-Delhiites-health/articleshow/30872985.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close