A recent study has brought to light alarming levels of nanoparticles in the urban air of the national capital, Delhi, particularly in roadside environments, with a direct connection to vehicle engine exhaust. This concerning discovery has raised significant public health concerns in the region.

Nanoparticles are incredibly tiny particles, often ranging from 10 to 1000 nanometers (nm) in diameter, rendering them invisible to the naked eye. Their minute size poses a heightened risk to human health compared to larger particulate matter such as PM 2.5 or PM 10. These nanoparticles, being a mere 600 times smaller than a human hair, have the capacity to deeply penetrate into the lungs, bloodstream, and even the brain.

The study, published in the journal Urban Climate, was conducted along Bawana Road in northwest Delhi, a crucial roadway connecting Delhi to Rohtak in Haryana. The findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive measures to address air quality issues in urban areas, particularly those associated with vehicular emissions, in order to safeguard public health and well-being.