A comprehensive five-year study conducted in Delhi has uncovered a significant gender disparity in exposure to deadly air pollutants. The research reveals that men deposit substantially higher amounts of particulate matter in their lungs compared to women, with the difference being most pronounced during periods of rest.
Key Findings: Gender Gap in Pollution Exposure
The study, titled 'Respiratory Deposition of Particulate Matter in Delhi: A Five-Year Assessment of Exposure Patterns and Health Risks,' was carried out by researchers from Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Delhi, in collaboration with a Noida-based environmental consultancy. It analyzed data from 2019 to 2023.
The critical metric used was the Respiratory Deposition Dose (RDD), which measures how much pollutant is actually deposited in the lungs. For the dangerous PM2.5 particles, the RDD among men was found to be about 1.4 times higher than in women while sitting, and approximately 1.2 times higher while walking. A similar trend was observed for the larger PM10 particles, with doses 1.34 times higher in men while sitting and 1.15 times higher during walking.
Activity, Location, and Alarming Dose Levels
Measurements were taken at 15-minute and daily intervals for adults under two scenarios: sitting and walking, with a focus on morning and evening commuting periods. The highest pollution doses were recorded in industrial zones, followed by commercial, institutional, and residential areas.
The maximum daily total RDD for PM2.5 was a staggering 13.13 micrograms per minute for men while walking in industrial belts, with 10.92 µg/min for women walking. For sitting, it was 4.73 µg/min (men) and 3.38 µg/min (women). For PM10, the maximum was 15.73 µg/min for walking men and 13.64 µg/min for walking women.
Most alarmingly, the study highlighted that the RDD values for men while walking were 10 to 40 times higher than the safe levels calculated using National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and World Health Organization guidelines. This indicates a severe and direct assault on lung health.
Causes, Consequences, and Urgent Calls for Action
Authors of the study explained the reasons behind this disparity. Gaurav Saini from NSUT's civil engineering department noted that men are generally more exposed to outdoor pollution due to a higher participation in outdoor activities, while women face greater indoor pollution exposure. However, physiological differences also play a role.
Amrendra Singh, another author, pointed out that women typically have a higher breathing frequency, which should theoretically lead to higher intake. Yet, the higher tidal volume (the amount of air moved per breath) in men, especially during physical activity, results in a greater overall deposition of pollutants in their lungs.
The consequences are dire. This deposition of particulate matter is a primary driver in the onset and worsening of respiratory diseases like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The study also provided a grim overview of Delhi's air quality standards breach. The NAAQS daily limit for PM10 was exceeded on 77.5% of days over the five years, while the stricter WHO daily guideline was breached on 96.5% of days. Standards for PM2.5 were exceeded almost continuously.
In its conclusion, the research underscores an urgent need for targeted interventions. It recommends stricter emission controls, better evening traffic management, effective mitigation of stubble burning, and mandatory dust-control measures at construction sites and industrial yards. It also notes that areas like Central Delhi, with government offices and substantial tree cover, recorded lower concentrations, hinting at the protective role of urban greenery. The study asserts that such measures are critical to reduce chronic exposure and deliver significant health and economic benefits for Delhi's residents.
