New Delhi, Oct 24: A new air pollution analysis laboratory inaugurated in Delhi on Saturday will identify the sources of pollution in real time, assess their relative contribution and analyse the potential health implications of pollutants, enabling authorities to move beyond Air Quality Index (AQI) readings towards targeted interventions.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Integrated Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL), described as a first-of-its-kind integrated facility globally, at the Delhi branch of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
The facility combines advanced atmospheric measurements, chemical analysis, pollution-source identification and forecasting to establish not only the level of pollution in the air but also its composition, origin and potential toxicity.
Explaining the significance of real-time source identification, Singh cited a demonstration in which transport emissions were shown to account for approximately 25 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution at that particular moment, while the overall pollution level stood at around 180.
He said such information could help authorities identify the sectors contributing most to deteriorating air quality at a given time and prioritise interventions accordingly, instead of relying solely on overall pollution readings.
“Earlier, the discussion would largely revolve around whether the pollution level was 100 or 200. This facility will help us understand the composition of pollution as well as the contribution of different sources,” Singh said, adding that scientific evidence was essential for addressing public concerns over air pollution.
Established under Mission Mausam, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the laboratory will help distinguish between pollution from vehicular emissions, industrial activity, biomass and crop-residue burning, construction, road dust and pollutants transported from surrounding regions.
By estimating the contribution of different sources, the facility is expected to help environmental authorities identify the activities and locations requiring immediate attention and assess the effectiveness of corrective measures.
The laboratory is equipped with advanced instruments to analyse atmospheric gases and aerosols, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), metals, toxic elements and other components. Its capabilities will help scientists study how pollutants interact and transform in the atmosphere and determine how different constituents contribute to the overall pollution burden.
Singh said the analysis of smaller constituents of air pollution was important because pollutants with similar concentrations could have different health implications depending on their chemical composition and potential toxicity.
The findings could help health authorities better understand the risks associated with different types of particulate pollution and strengthen coordination among scientific institutions, health agencies and environmental authorities.
AATAL has been integrated with IITM’s AIRWISE, or Air Quality Warning and Integrated Decision Support System for Emissions, which combines air-quality forecasts, observations and source-apportionment information to support pollution management.
According to the project team, the forecasting system provides air-quality predictions at a spatial resolution of 400 metres for the next 72 hours, enabling pollution levels and their likely sources to be assessed across individual pockets of Delhi. The integrated system is also intended to provide authorities with advance information on changing pollution conditions to support preventive action.
Dr Sachin Ghude, Project Director of MAQWS, said the facility would strengthen air-quality management in Delhi-NCR by providing early warnings and detailed information on pollution sources, including stubble burning, vehicular emissions, construction and road dust.
He said the information would help the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and other implementing agencies identify major sources of pollution, plan targeted interventions and assess their effectiveness. The high-resolution forecasting system could also provide a model for extending similar capabilities to other cities.
For CAQM and other agencies, the combined capabilities of real-time monitoring, source apportionment and forecasting could support decisions on preventive measures and responses under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Emphasising the need for coordinated action, Singh said air pollution could not be addressed by a single department working in isolation. He said the initiative reflected a whole-of-government approach involving scientific institutions, environmental authorities, pollution-control agencies and disaster-management stakeholders.
The inauguration was attended by Dr T Srinivasa Kumar, Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr A Suryachandra Rao, Director of IITM, and IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
The facility is intended to bridge the gap between atmospheric research and policymaking by providing authorities with detailed, location-specific evidence on pollution sources, enabling a more targeted and coordinated response to Delhi-NCR’s air-quality challenges.
