Air Pollution Awareness Low Among Delhi-NCR Urban Poor

• 08 Apr 2024

A recent survey revealed a significant lack of awareness regarding air pollution terms like the AQI and Particulate Matter (PM) among the urban poor in Delhi-NCR.

Key Points

• Survey Details: Conducted between December 2023 and January 2024, the study involved 500 individuals from Delhi and NCR cities, categorized into residents of informal settlements and slums, and formal middle-class settlements.
• Awareness Disparity: Only 10% of the urban poor were familiar with terms like AQI and PM 2.5, contrasting starkly with the 71% awareness rate among middle-class settlements.
• Understanding PM 2.5: PM 2.5, fine particles with diameters less than 2.5 micrometers, pose health risks by entering the respiratory tract.
• Perceived Causes of Pollution: Among urban poor respondents, 33% attributed pollution to vehicles, 27% to construction activities, and 20% to stubble burning.
• Information Sources: Social media emerged as the primary source of information for 29% of urban poor and 26% of middle-class respondents.
• Mitigation Measures: While middle-class individuals opted for air purifiers and indoor plants, the urban poor relied on face masks and increased water intake to combat pollution effects.
• Proposed Solutions: Respondents suggested social media campaigns and stricter regulations against open burning and construction violations as potential solutions to curb pollution.