Effects of Contaminated Air in Delhi: A Comprehensive Research Plan

This research plan investigates the detrimental effects of air pollution in Delhi, focusing on the impact of pollutants from transportation and industry on human health and the environment. The plan outlines the significance of the topic, highlighting the poor air quality and its effects on children and adults, including respiratory diseases and premature death. It poses the research question: 'What are the main pollutants of air in Delhi and how can their emissions be reduced?' The aim is to devise methods and strategies to reduce the impact of major air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. The methodology involves a qualitative systematic review of scholarly articles from 2015-2019, examining the effects of pollutants and potential reduction strategies. The expected outcomes include reduced health impacts, improved immunity, and a longer, healthier life for residents. The plan also includes a timetable for the research, spanning two months, detailing the collection of studies, draft formation, evaluation, and final preparation.

Running Head: EFFECTS OF CONTAMINATED AIR
Research Plan
EFFECTS OF CONTAMINATED AIR
Name of the Student
Supervisor’s Name
Name of the University
Authors Note

1EFFECTS OF CONTAMINATED AIR
Title:
Effects of polluted air on human health and environment through contamination from
transportation and industry in Delhi
Introduction:
Air pollution is one of the biggest threats to humankind in today’s generation. It has a
severe toxicological impact on human health and the environment (Ghorani-Azam, Riahi-
Zanjani & Balali-Mood, 2016). In Delhi, the quality of air is very poor and damages the lungs of
near about 50 % of the children. The Air Quality Index of Delhi is moderate (101-200) level
between January to September, and drastically deteriorates to very poor (301-400), severe (401-
500) and hazardous (500+) levels between the moths of October to December due to the burning
of fire crackers in Diwali (Sahu & Kota, 2017).
Rationale to the topic:
This kind of topic is chosen as it highlights the lethal effects of modernization and
industrialization. The major problem is health and ecological misbalance arising from air
pollution. Reducing the pollutants present in the air is very crucial for human health and
environment. Air pollution control is very necessary to bring about a better environment. A study
on air pollution should be done in order to intent pollution prevention. Thus the research will
address the reduction methods of the major air pollutants from automobile and industrial sector
and formulate possible strategies to improve the health of children and adults and the quality of
air in Delhi.

2EFFECTS OF CONTAMINATED AIR
Background:
Air pollution can be defined as any unwanted destructive particle present in air which has
a negative impact on the environment. It is caused by natural as well as artificial sources. Air
pollution is responsible for environmental changes, global climate change, deterioration of
human health including mutations (Maji, Ahmed & Siddiqui, 2015). Air pollution is estimated to
kill 1.5 million of people every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the
quality of air in Delhi is the worst as compared to any big city in the world. India has the
maximum death rate for chronic respiratory diseases and asthma. Air pollution is ranked fifth as
a cause for death in India. Particle pollutants are majorly responsible for pulmonary and cardiac
associated morbidity and mortality (Kumar et. al., 2015). In Delhi, 2.2 million children are
subjects of irreversible lung damage. Studies revealed that pollution is responsible for lowering
the children’s immune system. It is also responsible for the increase in risks of cancer, epilepsy,
diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Adults are subject to reduced lung capacity, headaches, sore
throats, coughs, fatigue, lung cancer and premature death. The main source of air pollution
include combustion, garbage, dust, industries, factories and automobile sector. The quality of air
can be measured by the amount of particulate matter (PM 2.5) and PM 10. On 7th November,
2017, the PM 2.5 in Delhi was 999 which was awfully high as compared to the normal levels of
60 micrograms and PM 10 was also 999 as compared to the normal value of 100 (Akhtar et. al.,
2018).
Significance:
This topic addresses the issues faced by the humans with regards of air pollution and its
appropriate measures to cope up with the situation. Air pollution has become a rising topic of
concern these days. The ill health effects have also arisen due to air pollution. The topic

3EFFECTS OF CONTAMINATED AIR
addresses the measures to be adopted and followed to save the ecosystem and improve the health
of humans. The children in Delhi are suffering from lowered immune system. The adults are
subjects of cardiovascular and lung diseases with increased premature death rate.
Research Question:
What are the main pollutants of air in Delhi and how can their emissions be reduced?
Aim:
To devise methods and strategies to reduce the ill impacts of the main air pollutants in
Delhi and its effects on human health and environment.
Objectives:
 To reduce the emissions of major air pollutants in Delhi namely sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide and particulate matter.
 To devise strategies to overcome the pollution affecting humans and ecosystem
 To formulate possible strategies to reduce air pollutants and improve environmental
sustainability and approach towards leading a healthy life.
Methodology:
Justification:
A balance will be established between the economic development and air pollution by the
major air pollutants in Delhi and the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases or lung diseases
and the death rate will decrease.

4EFFECTS OF CONTAMINATED AIR
Description:
A qualitative method of systematic review of relevant scholarly articles and journals
within the time frame of the recent four years (2015-2019). The data will be collected from
different recognized research papers meeting the academic criteria. The keywords which can be
used for the search may include: “automobile”; “exhausts”; “air pollutants”; “industries”; “power
plants”; “human health”; “ecology”. The papers which does not include the above mentioned
criteria should be excluded. The papers consisting of effects of the three major air pollutants,
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, on human health and environment should
be included in the study. Papers containing strategies to reduce the emission of those three major
pollutants and the ways of its implementation will also be included. Articles discussing the
measures to improve the health of the people suffering from lung diseases and cardiovascular
diseases will be included (Mathew et. al., 2015). Journals and articles including the ways to
make children build a strong immunity and decrease the premature death rate can help to develop
a brighter future for both the nation and the future generation can be studied.
Expected Outcomes:
The air pollution related ill effects on the health of humans will reduce. People will live a
longer and healthy life with a better immunity.
Significance of the topic:
The topic discusses the measures to be adopted which can improve the health of people.
Global warming can be reduced. Humans will be able to live a normal, healthy and a longer life
without any kind of disease.

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Timetable:
Two months is required for the research to be conducted.
Time taken Method to be carried out
3 weeks Collecting studies for systematic review
3 weeks Formation of draft of the research paper
1 week Evaluation of draft by professors
1 week Final preparation of the paper and submission

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References:
Akhtar, A., Masood, S., Gupta, C., & Masood, A. (2018). Prediction and analysis of pollution
levels in Delhi using multilayer perceptron. In Data Engineering and Intelligent
Computing (pp. 563-572). Springer, Singapore.
Ghorani-Azam, A., Riahi-Zanjani, B., & Balali-Mood, M. (2016). Effects of air pollution on
human health and practical measures for prevention in Iran. Journal of research in
medical sciences: the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 21.
Kumar, P., Khare, M., Harrison, R. M., Bloss, W. J., Lewis, A., Coe, H., & Morawska, L.
(2015). New directions: air pollution challenges for developing megacities like
Delhi. Atmospheric Environment, 122, 657-661.
Maji, S., Ahmed, S., & Siddiqui, W. A. (2015). Air quality assessment and its relation to
potential health impacts in Delhi, India. Current Science, 902-909.
Mathew, J., Goyal, R., Taneja, K. K., & Arora, N. (2015). Air pollution and respiratory health of
school children in industrial, commercial and residential areas of Delhi. Air Quality,
Atmosphere & Health, 8(4), 421-427.
Sahu, S. K., & Kota, S. H. (2017). Significance of PM2. 5 air quality at the Indian
capital. Aerosol Air Qual. Res, 17, 588-597.