- A recent study has found out that indoor pollution such as use of firewood,kerosene and coal in the households contributed to about 40% of the PM 2.5 pollution in the Gangetic basin districts.
- The study has said that villages still use firewood for room heating and water heating.Further,people still prefer cheap wood fuel despite LPG being provided to many households.
- The study has also said that by eliminating household emissions (a)the average outdoor air pollution levels could be reduced and brought within the national ambient air quality standards and (b)about 13% of premature mortality in India could be averted.
- However,it has also noted the need for special attention in Delhi.It said that stubble burning,industrial and power plant emissions and vehicular emissions are the major contributors in Delhi.Hence,delhi needs more serious and stringent measures.
- The study has demonstrated that mitigating at a household level is the easiest and more practical way out for the government to reduce not only the household pollution but also outdoor air pollution at the national scale.
- Particulate matter or PM is the term for particles found in the air, including dust,dirt,soot,smoke, and liquid droplets.PM 2.5 is an atmospheric particulate matter of diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, which is around 3% the diameter of a human hair.
