An Isabella Thoburn College researcher has undertaken a first-of-its-kind study in the city - she is monitoring pre and post Diwali indoor air quality to facilitate the way for safer ways to celebrate the festival.
Nishat Fatima, a research assistant working under IT college assistant professor Alfred Lawrence, is engaged in this work.
The air pollution during Diwali has been measured time and again. But, indoor air quality assessment will be done for the first time. It is relevant because mostly the children and the elderly spend a major part of their time inside the house and the data analysis will show the risks indoors.
The firecrackers, when burnt, release various gaseous, toxic and metal polluters which make the air unfit for human respiration.
"Inhalation of smoke from fireworks causes cough, fever and other complications and leads to acute eosiophilic pneumonia. The pollutants stay in the atmosphere for many hours and days which affect the indoor air. Keeping all the risk factors in mind, we have undertaken the project whose findings will pave the way for precautions and solutions," says Fatima, who did M Tech from Integral University.
In this study, they will be monitoring carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc in houses of Lucknow during Diwali. She said, "Before selection of the house for monitoring, we have drawn November- specific wind diagram from the data of wind speed and direction for the city as the wind carries pollutants into the houses through doors and windows. We have selected a house near Thakurganj in the direction of wind."
{{/usCountry}}In this study, they will be monitoring carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc in houses of Lucknow during Diwali. She said, "Before selection of the house for monitoring, we have drawn November- specific wind diagram from the data of wind speed and direction for the city as the wind carries pollutants into the houses through doors and windows. We have selected a house near Thakurganj in the direction of wind."
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