2024-07-22 14:50:58
Patna: The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has decided to conduct a study in Patna to identify the type of air pollutants inside homes/buildings, their impacts and suggest corrective measures to reduce it. BSPCB chairman Devendra Kumar Shukla said the study will be conducted first in Patna and then in Gaya, Muzaffarpur and some other cities of the state. “We have initiated talks with IIT, Tirupati to conduct a study in Patna to identify the type of air pollutants inside homes/buildings, their impacts and suggest corrective measures to reduce it. Bihar is perhaps the first state in India to have decided to conduct an air pollution study inside homes/buildings and it will start first from Patna,” he said.
The air of Patna’s homes will be tested
BSPCB chairman Devendra Kumar Shukla said their discussions with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Tirupati are expected to be completed soon. “Air quality studies are very important to identify the types of indoor air pollutants. People should be aware of the pollution levels inside their homes. The study will be conducted by dividing the city into various small areas and a few houses will be selected from each area for indoor air pollution studies using modern and accurate techniques,” he said.
BSPCB will do study with IIT Tirupati
According to the Bihar State Pollution Control Board chairman, air pollution is mostly considered an outdoor concern, but studies show that indoor air can be polluted too, sometimes more than the outdoor air. He said, ‘Since Patna has recently emerged as one of the most polluted cities in the country, we will start this study from Patna first.’
Harmful effects of indoor air pollution
Devendra Kumar Shukla said that the ill-effects of indoor air pollution are becoming a matter of concern globally. The most affected groups are women and young children as they spend maximum time indoors. Indoor air pollutants can cause respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis and many other diseases. BSPCB is already taking several measures to reduce air pollution in the state. The problem of poor air quality persists frequently in various cities of Bihar, especially during the winter season.