DEATHINEVERYBREATH

ReportonAirQualityinDelhiandNCRduringNovemberandDecember2018SpecialreportonAirQualityofNewDelhiduringDiwali2018

Reportby

LungCareFoundationhttp://lcf.org.in/

January2019

2

ExecutiveSummaryInNovemberandDecember2018residentsofNewDelhiandGurugramtooksevenair samples in and around the city as an exercise to understand the levels of AirPollutionaroundDiwaliandingeneralinthesemonths.ThesesamplesweretakenfromresidentialareasofSafdarjungEnclave,GurugramSector67andDLFPhase5.The samples in Safdarjung Enclave were taken over 3 consecutive days aroundDiwali-adaybefore,onthedayandadayafter.Allsamplesweretakenfromopenbalconiesofresidentialhomes.24-hour sampleswere taken using filters fitted to a low volume air sampler andanalysed for PM2.5 (ParticulateMatter or dust less than 2.5micrometres in size)andheavymetalsinChesterLabNetatOregon,USA.TheResultsofAnalysesrevealedthat:

1. PM2.5 levels inall the7 sampleswereabove statutory limits.PM2.5 levelsrangedfrom90.3ug/m3to563.5ug/m3andwerebetween1.5and9.4timeshigher than standards prescribed by theMinistry of Environment, Forestsand Climate Change (MoEFCC). Levels of PM2.5 are so high for all these 7samplesthatifthesampleshadbeentakenintheUS,theUSEnvironmentalProtection Agency would issue an advisory for hazardous air quality in 5sitesandveryunhealthyandunhealthyairqualityin1siteeach.

2. Levels of manganese in five of the seven samples exceed the U.S. EPAReference Concentration for exposure tomanganese (0.05 ug/m3) and theWHO annual health-based guidelines value of 0.15 ug/m3. There are nostandards in India for Manganese in ambient air. Manganese is a knownneurotoxin and affects the neurobehavioral functions. According to the USEPA,chronic(long-term)exposuretohighlevelsofmanganesebyinhalationin humans may result in central nervous system (CNS) effects. Visualreaction time,handsteadiness, andeye-handcoordinationwereaffected inchronicallyexposedworker.

3. Levels of lead in two samples exceeds the IndianNAAQSAnnual andWHO

annualhealth-basedguidelinesvalueof0.05ug/m3and in sixof the sevensamples exceed the U.S. EPA 3 –month average for exposure to lead (0.15ug/m3).Leadisaknownneurotoxin.Childrenareparticularlyvulnerabletotheeffectsofthisheavymetal.ExposurestoevenlowlevelsofleadearlyinlifehavebeenlinkedtoeffectsonIQ,learning,memory,andbehaviour.

4. Nickel levels inallsamplesexceedtheWHOannualhealth-basedguidelines

valueof0.0025ug/m3,whichisbasedontheriskofcancerassociatedwithlong-termexposuretonickel.Exposuretonickel inambientairalsoaffectstherespiratoryandimmunesystemsinthebody.

3

5. High levels of Bariumwere found in three samples fromNewDelhi taken

around Diwali. Barium compounds are used in firework to impart yellow,apple green and bright green colour. It is likely that Barium and otherchemicals from fireworkwould have contributed to higher PM2.5 levels inthe air around Diwali. Based on limited human and animal data, therespiratorytractisthemostsensitivetargetfollowinginhalationexposure.

6. Levelsofsiliconwereseenelevatedinallthesamples.Inmostenvironments,

thepredominantformorsiliconinambientairiscrystallinesilica.Bothcoalashandconstructionsandhavehighlevelsofcrystallinesilicaandcouldbeprominent contributors. Hence locations that are near coal ash piles orwheresandisbeingprocessedsuchasaconstructionsitesmightcontributeto the elevated levels of crystalline silica in ambient air that can causerespiratoryhealtheffectsifexposuresareprolonged.

7. Substantially elevated levels of iron and calciumparticulates in the sample

collectedon4December2018atSector67,Gurugram, indicateambientairthat is adversely impacted by fugitive emissions of constructionmaterials,whichcontainhighlevelsofironandcalcium.

BasedonthesefindingsandobservationstheresidentsofDelhiandGurugramdemandthefollowing:

1. CPCB initiates continuous monitoring heavy metals in dust and publishresultsperiodicallyalongwithhealthadvisories.

2. Agenciesuse thepollutiondata to apprehendpolluters and take correctiveaction to bring levels of dust and heavymetals in dust to below detectionlimitsinresidentialareas.

3. Agenciesprovideforlong-termhealthmonitoringbyinitiatinghealthstudiesamongtheresidentsofDelhiandNCR.

4. Government sets up specialized health care infrastructure operated by the

Statehealthdepartmentsatpolluters’costtocatertoresidentsintheregionofDelhiandNCR

4

REPORTONRESULTSOFAIRSAMPLESINNEWDELHIANDGURUGRAM

Following frequentcomplaintsbyresidentsofairpollutionaroundDiwaliand thereportsofdeterioratingairqualityinNewDelhiandGurugramingeneral,membersofLungCareFoundation in thepresenceof localresidents tooksevenairsamplesfromNewDelhiandGurugraminNovemberandDecemberof2018.

MethodologyforAirSamples:

Samplesofdust inambientairweretakenfromresidentialhousesinall locations.ThesamplesinSafdarjungEnclave,NewDelhi,weretakenover3consecutivedaysaroundDiwali -adaybefore,on thedayandadayafter.Samples fromGurugramSector67andDLFPhase5werealsofromresidentialneighbourhoodswithheavyconstructionactivitiesgoingon in thesurrounding.All sampleswereanalysed forthePM2.5levelsandthepresenceoftoxicheavymetalsintheair.

Theequipmentused isa lowvolumeair-samplingdevicecalled theMiniVol1.Fiveoutofsevensamplesweretakencontinuouslyoveraperiodof24-hourwhiletwosamplesfromDLFPhase5andSector67Gurugramweretakenover11.4and13.4hoursrespectively.

The sampleswere sent for analysis to the Chester LabNet2, a laboratory based inOregon,USA.ThelaboratorytestedthesamplersforParticulateMatter(PM2.5)usingthe Gravimetry technique3and used the X-ray Fluorsescence (XRF) technique todetectthepresenceofheavymetals.XRFisaUSEPAapprovedtechnique.

1http://www.airmetrics.com/index.html

2http://www.chesterlab.net/index.php

3http://www.chesterlab.net/service.php#gra

5

LocationofAirSamples:

Detailsoftheairsamples:SNo SampleId LocationofSample Weatherconditions1. D1 Balcony of the 2nd Floor or a

park facing house inSafdurjungEnclave

Day before Diwali,normal weatherconditions

2. D2 Balcony of the 2nd Floor or apark facing house inSafdurjungEnclave

On the day of Diwali,normal weatherconditions

3. D3 Balcony of the 2nd Floor or apark facing house inSafdurjungEnclave

A day after Diwali,normal weatherconditions

4. GGN AirSample1

Gurugram 4th floor terracefacingconstructionsite,Sector67

Normal weatherconditions

5. GGN AirSample2

Gurugram 6th floor balconyDLFphase5

Normal weatherconditions

6. GGN AirSample3

Gurugram 29th floor balconyDLFphase5

Normal weatherconditions

7. GGN AirSample4

Gurugram 4th floor balcony,Sector67

Normal weatherconditions

6

ResultsoftheAirSamples:

7

FINDINGS:

1. PM2.5 levels in all the7 sampleswereabove statutory limits.PM2.5 levelsrangedfrom90.3ug/m3to563.5ug/m3andwerebetween1.5and9.4timeshigher than standards prescribed by theMinistry of Environment, Forestsand Climate Change (MoEFCC). Levels of PM2.5 are so high for all these 7samplesthatifthesampleshadbeentakenintheUS,theUSEnvironmentalProtection Agency would issue an advisory for hazardous air quality in 5sitesandveryunhealthyandunhealthyairqualityin1siteeach.

2. Levels of manganese in five of the seven samples exceed the U.S. EPAReference Concentration for exposure tomanganese (0.05 ug/m3) and theWHO annual health-based guidelines value of 0.15 ug/m3. There are nostandards in India for Manganese in ambient air. Manganese is a knownneurotoxin and affects the neurobehavioral functions. According to the USEPA,chronic(long-term)exposuretohighlevelsofmanganesebyinhalationin humans may result in central nervous system (CNS) effects. Visualreaction time,handsteadiness, andeye-handcoordinationwereaffected inchronicallyexposedworker.

3. Levels of lead in two samples exceeds the IndianNAAQSAnnual andWHO

annualhealth-basedguidelinesvalueof0.05ug/m3and in sixof the sevensamples exceed the U.S. EPA 3 –month average for exposure to lead (0.15ug/m3).Leadisaknownneurotoxin.Childrenareparticularlyvulnerabletotheeffectsofthisheavymetal.ExposurestoevenlowlevelsofleadearlyinlifehavebeenlinkedtoeffectsonIQ,learning,memory,andbehaviour.

4. Nickel levels inallsamplesexceedtheWHOannualhealth-basedguidelines

valueof0.0025ug/m3,whichisbasedontheriskofcancerassociatedwithlong-termexposuretonickel.Exposuretonickel inambientairalsoaffectstherespiratoryandimmunesystemsinthebody.

5. High levels of Bariumwere found in three samples fromNewDelhi taken

around Diwali. Barium compounds are used in firework to impart yellow,apple green and bright green colour. It is likely that Barium and otherchemicals from fireworkwould have contributed to higher PM2.5 levels inthe air around Diwali. Based on limited human and animal data, therespiratorytractisthemostsensitivetargetfollowinginhalationexposure.

6. Levelsofsiliconwereseenelevatedinallthesamples.Inmostenvironments,

thepredominantformorsiliconinambientairiscrystallinesilica.Bothcoalashandconstructionsandhavehighlevelsofcrystallinesilicaandcouldbeprominent contributors. Hence locations that are near coal ash piles orwheresandisbeingprocessedsuchasaconstructionsitesmightcontributeto the elevated levels of crystalline silica in ambient air that can causerespiratoryhealtheffectsifexposuresareprolonged.

8

7. Substantially elevated levels of iron and calciumparticulates in the sample

collectedon4December2018atSector67,Gurugram, indicateambientairthat is adversely impacted by fugitive emissions of constructionmaterials,whichcontainhighlevelsofironandcalcium.

9

ANALYSIS:PM2.5: Inall sites, levelsof very fineparticulatematter in the filteredair sample(PM2.5)greatlyexceedthe24-hourWHOstandardof25µg/m3;the24-hourUSEPAstandard of 35 µg/m3; and the Indian MoEF standard of 60 µg/m3. These levelsexceededtheIndianstandardsby1.5and9.4times.

Three samples collected from New Delhi around Diwali contained levels ofPM2.5thatwouldbeconsideredbytheU.S.EPAas“Hazardous-Thiswouldtriggerahealthwarningofemergencyconditions.Theentirepopulationismorelikelytobeaffected”Twoof the samples [collected at 4th floorbalconyof Sector67,Gurugramand6thFloorBalconyofDLFPhase5]containedlevelsofPM2.5thatwouldbeconsideredbythe U.S. EPA as “Hazardous - This would trigger a health warning of emergencyconditions.Theentirepopulationismorelikelytobeaffected” Oneofthesamples[29thFloorBalconyofDLFPhase5,Gurugram]containedlevelsofPM2.5thatwouldbeconsideredbytheU.S.EPAas“VeryUnhealthy-Peoplewithheart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activityoutdoors.Everyoneelseshouldavoidprolongedorheavyexertion” Oneofthesamples[4thFloorBalconyofSector67,Gurugram]containedlevelsofPM2.5thatwouldbeconsideredbytheU.S.EPAas“Unhealthy-Peoplewithheartor

DIW

ALI

10

lungdisease,olderadults,andchildrenshouldavoidprolongedorheavyexertion.Everyoneelseshouldreduceprolongedorheavyexertion” Thiswouldimplythattheairqualityissuchthateveryonemaybegintoexperiencesomeadversehealtheffects,andmembersof thesensitivegroupsmayexperiencemoreseriouseffects.4 AboutPM2.5:Particleslessthan2.5micrometersindiameter(PM2.5)arereferredtoas"fine"particlesandarebelievedtoposethelargesthealthrisks.Becauseoftheirsmallsize(lessthanone-sevenththeaveragewidthofahumanhair),fineparticlescanlodgedeepintothelungs.“Health studies have shown a significant association between exposure to fineparticles and prematuremortality. Other important effects include aggravation ofrespiratory and cardiovascular disease (as indicated by increased hospitaladmissions, emergency room visits, absences from school orwork, and restrictedactivity days), lung disease, decreased lung function, asthma attacks, and certaincardiovascularproblemssuchasheartattacksandcardiacarrhythmia. Individualsparticularly sensitive to fine particle exposure include older adults, people withheartandlungdisease,andchildren.”5

TheIndianMinistryofEnvironmentandForests(MoEF),theU.S.EPAandtheWorldHealth Organization have all adopted health-based air quality standards forexposure to fineparticulatematter.Theyhave also adopted short-term (24-hour)andlong-term(annualaverage)standardsforexposuretofineparticulatematterinordertopreventbothacuteandchroniceffectsofexposuretoparticulates.

4 https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqihttps://www3.epa.gov/pm/2012/decfsstandards.pdf5http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/pm/pm25_index.html

11

ManganeseResults:Levelsofmanganese in fiveof thesevensamplesexceedtheU.S.EPAReferenceConcentrationforexposuretomanganese(0.05ug/m3)andtheWHO annual health-based guidelines value of 0.15 ug/m3.However, thesestandardsformanganeseareforlong-termexposuresofoneyear(orlonger).Theseresultsindicateunhealthylevelsofmanganeseonlyiftheyreflectambientlevelsofmanganesethatgenerallyprevailattheselocations.Additionaltesting(overseveralmonths) would be necessary to determine long-term average ambient levels ofmanganeseattheselocations.

TherearenostandardsinIndiaforManganeseinambientair.

Manganese is a neurotoxin. With regards to its health impacts, the U.S.EPA hasobservedthat:

“Chronic(long-term)exposuretohighlevelsofmanganesebyinhalationinhumansmay result in central nervous system (CNS) effects. Visual reaction time, handsteadiness, and eye-hand coordination were affected in chronically-exposedworkers. A syndrome named manganism may result from chronic exposure tohigher levels;manganism is characterized by feelings of weakness and lethargy,tremors,amask-likeface,andpsychologicaldisturbances.”6

6http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/manganes.html

DIW

ALI

12

Leadresults:LevelsofleadintwosamplesexceedstheIndianNAAQSAnnualandWHO annual health-based guidelines value of 0.05 ug/m3 and in six of the sevensamplesexceedtheU.S.EPA3–monthaverageforexposuretolead(0.15ug/m3).

TheU.S.EPAhasobservedthat:“Leadisparticularlydangeroustochildrenbecausetheirgrowingbodiesabsorbmoreleadthanadultsdoandtheirbrainsandnervoussystems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Babies and youngchildrencanalsobemorehighlyexposedtoleadbecausetheyoftenputtheirhandsandotherobjects that canhave lead fromdustor soilon them into theirmouths.Children may also be exposed to lead by eating and drinking food or watercontainingleadorfromdishesorglassesthatcontainlead,inhalingleaddustfromlead-based paint or lead-contaminated soil or from playing with toys with leadpaint.”7

It is a known fact that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead.Exposures to low levels of lead early in life have been linked to effects on IQ,learning,memory,andbehavior.Thereisnoknownsafelevelofleadinthebody

7https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead#effects

DIW

ALI

13

Nickel results:Nickel levels in all samples exceed theWHO annual health-basedguidelinesvalueof0.0025ug/m3.

TheWHOairqualityguidelinesstatethefollowing:

"Nickel compounds are human carcinogens by inhalation exposure. The presentdata are derived from studies in occupationally exposed human populations.Assuming a linear dose–response, no safe level for nickel compounds can berecommended.

On the basis of the most recent information of exposure and risk estimated inindustrial populations, an incremental risk of 3.8 × 10–4 can be given for aconcentrationofnickel inairof1μg/m3.Theconcentrationscorresponding toanexcesslifetimeriskof1:10000,1:100000and1:1000000areabout250,25and2.5ng/m3,respectively."8

Hence,ifnickellevelsinthe7filteredairsamplesfromNewDelhiandGurugraminNovember and December 2018, reflect conditions that generally prevail over thelong-term,thenpersonsintheseareaswouldsufferanexcesslifetimeriskofcancerof4per1million(comparedto1.6per1millionfortypicallevelsofnickelinurbanair).

8See:AirqualityguidelinesforEurope;secondedition(2000)

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/74732/E71922.pdf

DIW

ALI

14

Bariumresults:TheBariumlevelinthesampleadaybeforeDiwaliis21.5μg/m3,onthedayofDiwalithesamplehasBariumlevelof5.8μg/m3,andadayafterDiwali,theBariumlevelinthesampleis2.4μg/m3.

According to Dr. Mark Chernaik, Staff Scientist at Environment Law AllianceWorlwide (ELAW), US, “These levels are extremely high and unheard of.Typically,Bariumlevelsare<0.05μg/m3.”

Basedonlimitedhumanandanimaldata,therespiratorytractisthemostsensitivetargetfollowinginhalationexposure9.

According to research, "Barium, typically asbariumnitrateimparts a yellow or"apple"greencolortofireworks;forbrilliantgreenbariummonochlorideisused.10"

Dr.MarkChernaikadds,“giventhatBariumwasfoundinsamplesaroundDiwaliitisquite likely that the fireworks caused thisandBariumalongwithother chemicalscontributedtohighlevelsofPM2.5onthosedays.”

ImpactofConstructiononAirQuality:

Levelsof siliconwere seenelevated inall the samples. Inmostenvironments, thepredominant formor silicon inambientair is crystallinesilica.Constructionsandand coal ash have high levels of crystalline silica and could be prominentcontributors. Hence locations that are near areas where sand is being processedsuchasaconstructionsitesorcoalashsitemightcontributetotheelevatedlevelsofcrystallinesilicainambientairthatcancauserespiratoryhealtheffectsifexposuresareprolonged.Substantiallyelevatedlevelsofironandcalciumparticulatesinthesamplecollectedon4December2018atSector67,Gurugram,indicateambientairthatisadverselyimpactedbyfugitiveemissionsofconstructionmaterials,whichcontainhighlevelsofironandcalcium.HealthImplicationsoftheresults:

Accordingto,DrArvindKumar,ChestSurgeonandFounderTrusteeatLungCareFoundation: “Theairsamplingresultsshowaveryconcerning levelofharmfulsubstancesthatadversely effect health. Their presence at such high levels shows that there is asignificant possibility of chronic health effects. Studies have shown that there arelinkagesbetweenPM2.5andrespiratorydiseasesandcardiovascularproblems. Inaddition,manganeseandnickelarewellknowntoxinsand theireffectsonhumanhealthhavebeenwelldocumented.Manganeseispredominantlyneurotoxinwhile

9https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxguides/toxguide-24.pdf10 Russell,MichaelS.&Svrcula,Kurt(2008).ChemistryofFireworks.RoyalSocietyofChemistry.p.110.ISBN0-85404-127-3.

15

nickelisacarcinogen.Themeasurementofsuchtoxicsubstancesfromtherooftopsofhumansettlementsisindeedacauseforconcern.

Thereisanurgentneednotonlytotakeimmediatestepstoreducethepresenceofsuchtoxinsintheair,butalsotoinstituteacomprehensivehealthsurveytoassesswhatdamagehasalreadybeendone,and institute followupof thepopulation fordetecting long term harm from the exposure till now. Further the health systemneeds to take thesechemicals intoaccountanddevelopaplanonhow toproviderelevantandadequatecaretothosewhohavebeensoexposed.”

Discussions:ThecurrentexerciseofairsamplingistounderstandnotonlythePM2.5compositionoftheair, but also to document the presence of toxic heavymetals in the air. The results haveclearly demonstrated that during Diwali there the PM2.5 levels exceeded the statutoryregulationsanddespite the regulationof theburstingof firecrackersbyHon’bleSupremeCourt, there was no improvement in the air quality of the region. Presence of toxicchemicals likeBariumindicate that threat toairqualityandhealth isnot just fromPM2.5butfromtoxicheavymetalsthatmostofthetimedonotgetaccountedfor.ThepresenceofBariumalsoindicatedthedirectconnectionoffireworksontheairqualityoftheregion.ItisquiteclearthattheconstructionactivitiesintheGurugramregionhavenegativeimpactontheairqualityandthreateningpublichealth.Theconstructionssitesarenotjustaggravatingthealreadypoorairqualityintheregionbutalsocontributingtoxicmetallikesilica,iron,manganese,nickelandleadtotheair.Conclusion:

Basedonthefindings,LungCareFoundationdemands:

1. CPCB initiates continuous monitoring heavy metals in dust and publishresultsperiodicallyalongwithhealthadvisories.

2. Agenciesuse thepollutiondata to apprehendpolluters and take correctiveaction to bring levels of dust and heavymetals in dust to below detectionlimitsinresidentialareas.

3. Agenciesprovideforlong-termhealthmonitoringbyinitiatinghealthstudiesamongtheresidentsofDelhiandNCR.

4. Government sets up specialized health care infrastructure operated by the

Statehealthdepartmentsatpolluters’costtocatertoresidentsintheregionofDelhiandNCR