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This paper discusses the newly developed Decision Support System version 1.0 (DSS v1.0) for air quality management activities in Delhi, India. In addition to standard air quality forecasts, DSS provides the contribution of Delhi, its surrounding districts, and stubble-burning fires in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana to the PM2.5 load in Delhi. DSS also quantifies the effects of local and neighborhood emission-source-level interventions on the pollution load in Delhi. The DSS-simulated Air Quality Index for the post-monsoon and winter seasons of 2021–2022 shows high accuracy (up to 80 %) and a very low false alarm ratio (∼ 20 %) from day 1 to day 5 of the forecasts, especially when the ambient air quality index (AQI) is > 300. During the post-monsoon season (winter season), emissions from Delhi, the rest of the National Capital Region (NCR)'s districts, biomass-burning activities, and all other remaining regions on average contribute 34.4 % (33.4 %), 31 % (40.2 %), 7.3 % (0.1 %), and 27.3 % (26.4 %), respectively, to the PM2.5 load in Delhi. During peak pollution events (stubble-burning periods or wintertime), however, the contribution from the main sources (farm fires in Punjab–Haryana or local sources within Delhi) could reach 65 %–69 %. According to DSS, a 20 % (40 %) reduction in anthropogenic emissions across all NCR districts would result in a 12 % (24 %) reduction in PM2.5 in Delhi on a seasonal mean basis. DSS is a critical tool for policymakers because it provides such information daily through a single simulation with a plethora of emission reduction scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the newly developed Decision Support System version 1.0 (DSS v1.0) for air quality management activities in Delhi, India. In addition to standard air quality forecasts, DSS provides the contribution of Delhi, its surrounding districts, and stubble-burning fires in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana to the PM2.5 load in Delhi. DSS also quantifies the effects of local and neighborhood emission-source-level interventions on the pollution load in Delhi. The DSS-simulated Air Quality Index for the post-monsoon and winter seasons of 2021-22 shows high accuracy (up to 80%) and a very low false alarm ratio (~20%) from Day 1 to Day 5 of the forecasts, especially when the ambient AQI is > 300. During the post-monsoon season (winter season), emissions from Delhi, the rest of the NCR districts, biomass-burning activities, and all other remaining regions on average contribute 34.4% (33.4%), 31% (40.2%), 7.3% (0.1%), and 27.3% (26.4%), respectively, to PM2.5 load in Delhi. During peak pollution events (stubble-burning periods), however, the contribution from sources within Delhi (farm fires in Punjab-Haryana) could reach 65% (69%). According to DSS, a 20% (40%) reduction in anthropogenic emissions across all NCR districts would result in a 12% (24%) reduction in PM2.5 in Delhi on a seasonal mean basis. DSS is a critical tool for policymakers because it provides such information daily through a single simulation with a plethora of emission reduction scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current examination, the ingestion and inhalation dose measurements for the particular body organs in light of the intake of radon through ground water used by the inhabitants have been surveyed in the various locations of Amritsar province, India, using an electrostatic collection type radon monitor (RAD7) analyzer with RAD-H2O accessory. The mean radon activity level in water was seen to be 5.93 ± 2.34 BqL-1. However, the radiation dose received by all different body organs significantly less than the UNSCEAR and WHO suggested a level of 100 μSvY-1. The annual effective dose for the diverse body organs in view of the intake of radon was additionally ascertained and found the maximum dose for lungs than other organs. The radiation dose received by bronchial epithelium by the means of inhalation was likewise high when contrasted with that by stomach walls through ingestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, the ingestion and inhalation dosage for the particular body organs in light of the intake of radon through ground water utilised by the occupants have been assessed in the different villages of the Upper Bari Doab region of Amritsar province, India using an electrostatic collection type radon monitor (RAD7) analyzer with RAD-H2O accessory. The mean radon activity level in water was seen to be 8.34 ± 2.99 Bql−1. The newborn children have higher radiation dosage than the other age groups because of their high dosage transformation factors. However, the radiation dosage received by all different age groups significantly less than the UNSCEAR and WHO suggested a level of 100 μSv y−1. The annual effective dosage for the diverse body organs because of the intake of radon was moreover ascertained and found the maximum dosage for lungs than other organs. The radiation dosage received by bronchial epithelium by the means of inhalation was likewise high when contrasted with that by stomach walls through ingestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary results of ambient indoor and outdoor gamma dose rates estimated in 20 distinct areas of Amritsar city, Punjab, are exhibited by utilizing Dosimeter-Radiometer MKS-03 (SARAD). This study was planned in such a way to get a uniform and representative distribution of estimations. The indoor to outdoor dose rate ratio was ascertained which showed that the indoor gamma dose rate as contrasted with outdoor gamma dose rate has elevated levels of exposure due to confined space and poor ventilation. The indoor and outdoor annual effective dose rate was likewise estimated from the exposure point of view, and it varied from 0.35 to 1.61 mSv/y and from 0.11 to 0.44 mSv/y. The average values of outdoor and indoor effective dose rate levels in all of these locations were well below the world average value prescribed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Radon, a radioactive gas is a primary source of radioactive pollution and directly influence the humans exposed to it. Radon (Rn222)/thoron (Rn220) exhalation and soil gas radon concentrations were estimated in agricultural soil samples from different locations of Amritsar district of Punjab, India, by using active techniques i.e. Smart RnDuo monitor and RAD7. Rn222 mass and Rn220 surface exhalation rate of 22 locations varied from 21.41 to 43.81 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 64.73 to 717.03 mBq m−2 s−1 with average values of 32.58 ± 1.11 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 195.10 ± 53.02 mBq m−2 s−1, respectively. Mean soil radon concentration of 12 agricultural soils samples varied from 0.1 ± 0.04 to 9.7 ± 0.40 kBq m−3. Potentially toxic metals such as Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Cd were also estimated in agricultural soil samples and soils were found to be drastically suffering from Zn and Cu pollution followed by some Pb contamination. On the basis of average values (in mg kg−1), potentially toxic metal contents in soil samples can be arranged in decreasing order as: Zn (78.93) > Cu (42.32) > Cr (36.92) > Pb (7.49) ≫ Cd. The results indicated the probability of occurrence of potentially toxic metal accumulation in edible parts of crops grown in the study area. Although no direct significant correlation has been observed between soil gas radon and mass/surface exhalation rate in soil samples under investigation but a positive correlation was observed among some toxic metals such as Zn:Cu, Zn:Cr, Cu:Cr, Cu: Pb and Pb:Cr. pH and conductivity were negatively correlated whereas, SOM and mass exhalation showed positive correlation. The investigation demonstrated the dominance of potentially toxic metal contamination by Cu, Zn and Pb over Rn222 emanation rate in agricultural soil towards health risks posed to residents of Amritsar. Highlights • Natural radioactivity and toxic metal contamination in soils of Punjab were examined. • Abnormal distribution of soil radon at some locations observed • No dependence of soil radon on exhalation and potentially toxic metals. • A positive correlation was observed among some metals such as Zn:Cu, Zn:Cr, Cu:Cr, Cu: Pb and Pb:Cr. • A positive correlation was observed between soil organic matter and mass exhalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]