Air

Much before air pollution emerged as a critical health and environment issue in India, we developed state-of-the-art capacities for studying air quality. Our research focusses on a range of issues, including ambient air quality and apportionment of contributing sources , indoor air quality assessment for urban and rural households, regional scale assessment, impacts on health and agriculture, and capacity building of stakeholders for better management. Our research and analyses have been taken into account by policy makers for improvements in various standards and policies.

air

NEW IN AIR

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    Report

    Cost effectiveness of interventions for control of air pollution in Delhi

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    Project

    Support to Government of Uttar Pradesh for establishment of Strategic and Policy Advisory Unit for Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Programme (UP CAMP)

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    Explainer

    How evidence-based actions can help achieve breathable air in Indian cities

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    Event

    TERI showcases Urban Air Pollution Solutions at the “Clean Air Blue Sky Days” in Jaipur

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    Event

    स्वस्थ शरीर के लिए निशुल्क स्वास्थ्य शिविर

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Projects

Articles

Indoor Air Quality Challenges in India during the winter Season

Discover India’s indoor air quality challenges during the winter season, the pollution impacts on health, and solutions to improve IAQ for a healthier environment.

Air pollution causing heart diseases

Dr Kanhaiya Lal

Air pollution is one of the five leading causes of death worldwide. An eminent cardiologist associated with the Harvard Medical School presents terrifying statistics on worldwide deaths linked to air pollution. Air pollution-linked illness was found to be seven crores globally, and 70 lakh people lost their lives, according to the WHO. Out of these deaths, about 24 lakh deaths were associated with Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), and 13 lakh deaths were due to heart strokes, that is, a total of 37 lakh deaths from heart-ailments.

Air Pollution in India: Major Issues and Challenges

This article foregrounds the challenges India is currently facing in reducing air pollution and bringing the level of air quality to a certain standard. It also discusses solutions that could be adopted to combat the national crisis.

Air Quality and Public Health Challenges: The battle can be won

Ms Meena Sehgal

It is time to take action on air pollution using both technology and awareness as major methods and it needs strong incentive mechanisms to ensure participation both by farmers and clean-energy producers

Vulnerability Index Tool: Vulnerability assessment for health

Ms Meena Sehgal
,
Ms Vidhu Gupta

A prototype digital tool is being developed for state health departments in India to upload data, and the vulnerability index can be generated using the tool.

Events

TERI showcases Urban Air Pollution Solutions at the “Clean Air Blue Sky Days” in Jaipur

September 7, 2024
to September 7, 2024

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) proudly participated in the ‘Clean Air Blue Sky Day’ celebration organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on September 7, 2024, at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre, Rajasthan. TERI's stall featured cutting-edge interventions aimed at addressing urban air pollution, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable solutions across India.

Stakeholders Meeting on Local Air Quality Management Plan for Golghar and Shaheed Smarak areas in Patna

August 13, 2024
to August 13, 2024

On August 13, 2024, an orientation meeting for the Local Air Quality Management Plan was convened with stakeholders at the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) in Patna. This initiative, spearheaded by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with BSPCB, the Patna Municipal Corporation, and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), is focused on managing air pollution around two historic landmarks in Patna: Golghar and Shaheed Smarak.

Capacity Building Program on Ambient Air Quality Management in Kolkata

February 27, 2024
to February 27, 2024

A three-day program on capacity building for Ambient Air Quality Management was held in Kolkata at the West Bengal Pollution Control Board's Training Hall at Mani Square for staff members of the National Clean Air Program from different cities in West Bengal and other officials.

Book Release: TERI Energy & Environment Data Diary and Yearbook (TEDDY) 2022-23

January 23, 2024
to January 23, 2024

TERI Energy & Environment Data Diary and Yearbook (TEDDY) is an annual publication brought out by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) since 1986. TEDDY presents latest information on energy supply sectors (coal and lignite, petroleum and natural gas, power and renewable energy sources), energy demand sectors (agriculture, industry, transport, residential, and commercial sectors), and environment (local and global). It seeks to support policy research and decision-making by providing policymakers and researchers with the data which can be used to develop actionable solutions.

“स्वस्थ शरीर के लिए निशुल्क स्वास्थ्य शिविर”

September 1, 2023
to September 1, 2023

In response to the growing concerns surrounding air pollution in Kanpur and its adverse effect on public health, TERI has organised comprehensive health camp under the CAP India Project supported by SDC.

News

Delhi air pollution: How national capital can breathe cleaner air

December 5, 2024
| Mr R Suresh
| The Times of India

A promising approach to tackling Delhi's persistent air pollution is the concept of airshed management, which views air pollution as a regional challenge, says Mr R Suresh, Senior Fellow and Area Convenor, Air Quality Research Division, TERI.

Air Purifiers: A helpful ally in the fight against indoor pollution but not a complete solution

December 4, 2024
| Mr R Suresh and Mr Dheeraj Mehra
| The Financial Express

Tests in actual situations have found that air purifiers typically achieve a maximum PM removal efficiency of 70 percent to 75 percent, well below the claimed efficiencies says Mr R Suresh, Senior Fellow and Area Convenor, TERI and Mr Dheeraj Mehra, Research Associate, Air Quality Research Division, TERI.

Delhi Pollution: If the public transport system is in order, Delhiites will not suffocate, know the expert's opinion

November 29, 2024 |
November 29, 2024
Amar Ujala

Ms Shivani Sharma, Associate Fellow, TERI said the problem persists despite the increasing use of CNG. 72% of buses in Delhi run on CNG, 17% of cars use CNG. Three-wheelers and LCVs have been completely converted to CNG. There is a need to increase public transport and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles to reduce vehicular pollution.

What are the worst polluters in Delhi NCR? Here’s what a TERI report says

November 18, 2024 |
November 18, 2024
The Indian Express

As pollution levels soar, what are the main contributors to air pollutants in the National Capital Region (NCR)? A draft report on a 2021 emission inventory the latest available answers this question, reiterating some of what earlier such inventories have found and marking a few departures. An emission inventory, usually prepared for a particular year, quantifies emissions from different sources for a city or region for that year. The 2021 draft report was prepared by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Delhi covered with dust as road repairs take their toll

October 20, 2024 |
November 7, 2024
Hindustan Times

Dust is one of the biggest sources of pollution in Delhi and can contribute to as much as 25% of the Capital's bad air, according to a 2018 source apportionment study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Mobility crisis is behind pollution in city: CSE

November 7, 2024 |
November 7, 2024
The Pioneer

Delhi requires another 60 per cent reduction to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM2.5. Similar trend is reflected in the winter pollution, even though the winter peaks have declined the average level for the winter months have stayed elevated and also seen an increase. These data points are based on the CSE's analysis from different bodies, including the IITM, TERI-ARAI, CPCB's real-time air quality data and traffic data from Google map, among others.

Policy

Could the National Capital Region serve as a control region for effective air quality management in Delhi?

November 4, 2020

Air pollution does not follow administrative boundaries, and needs to be tackled at the regional "airshed" level at which it is caused. Identifying the appropriate candidates for airshed management requires scientific analysis using systematically developed emissions inventories and dispersion models to simulate the impact of the estimated emissions on air quality.

Emissions control in thermal power stations: Issues, challenges, and the way forward

February 21, 2020

As per TERI's analysis, of the total environmental pollution in 2016, the power sector reportedly accounted for 51% of sulphur dioxide (SO2), 43% of carbon dioxide (CO2), 20% of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and 7% of PM2.5 emissions.

Crop residue management: Solution to achieve better air quality

January 30, 2020

Residents of different cities (probably villages too) of India breathe some of the least healthy air of the globe. During 2017, about 76.8% of the population of India were exposed to annual population-weighted mean PM2·5 greater than the limit recommended by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQ: 40 mg/m3) (Balakrishnan, Dey, Gupta, et al. 2019). Over last five years, the annual population-weighted mean ambient PM2·5 concentrations were significantly higher over the Indo- Gangetic Plain (IGP) region in comparison to other parts of the country.

Fleet Modernization: A solution to achieve better air quality

December 10, 2019

India's transport demand has grown from a total of 5.3 million in 1981 to 230 million in 2016, with two-wheelers and cars having 73% and 14% share, respectively. Commercial vehicles though constitute only about 5% of the total fleet, contribute to nearly 80% of total PM emissions.

Phase-wise implementation of fleet modernization (transforming pre BS-IV commercial vehicles to BS-VI) would lead to a 40-80% reduction in PM and NOx emissions from the sector by 2025.

Opportunities with Biofuel: Co-benefit of Air Quality Improvement

December 5, 2019

While biofuels have been discussed as one of the ways to reduce air pollution, changing the process of bio-diesel production is needed to reduce tailpipe emissions of nanoparticles. These are lesser known pollutants even more harmful than PM2.5 and PM10.

Position paper on Improving Inspection and Maintenance System for In-use Vehicles in India

March 3, 2017

The transport sector is an important contributor to pollution in cities. The sector accounts for a significant contribution in PM2.5 concentrations in most Indian cities. In Bengaluru, the sector accounts for almost 50% of PM2.5 concentrations.

Team

Associate Director, Air Quality Research
Area Convenor, Environment and Health Assessment
Area Convenor, Centre for Air Quality Research