Delhi’s Air Harbors Invisible Pathogens, Raising Health Risks for Urban Residents

PM2.5 particles act as carriers, allowing bacteria to travel deep into lungs, spreading respiratory, gut, oral, and skin infections.

New Delhi- A recent study by scientists at Bose Institute, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has revealed that airborne pathogenic bacteria are twice as abundant in densely populated areas of Delhi compared to less crowded regions, posing increased risks of respiratory, gastrointestinal, oral, and skin infections.

The research highlights that PM2.5 particles, the microscopic dust specks prevalent in urban air, act as carriers for these bacteria, allowing pathogens to penetrate deep into the lungs and spread within the human body. The study also indicates that population density significantly influences the composition of airborne microbial communities, making crowded neighborhoods particularly vulnerable.

Delhi, situated in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP)—one of the most densely populated and polluted regions globally—experiences sharp winter temperature drops due to western disturbances, which increase relative humidity and reduce wind flow. These conditions allow pollutants and bacteria to accumulate in the lower atmosphere, creating a “perfect storm” for the persistence and transmission of airborne microbes, especially during hazy winter days or rains.

Led by Dr. Sanat Kumar Das, the study observed that the transition from winter to summer further amplifies health risks by prolonging the airborne survival of pathogens. The findings, published in ‘Atmospheric Environment: X’, underscore the urgent need for urban health planning and preventive strategies in megacities like Delhi, where millions inhale polluted air daily.

Understanding how weather, pollution, and population density affect microbial communities in the air could help authorities predict outbreaks, design healthier urban spaces, and implement effective measures to protect public health.

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