Monday, November 15, 2021

Air Pollution in Delhi

The root cause of Delhi Air Pollution during winter is the phenomenon called Temperature Inversion. The absence of wind is another factor.

The temperature should come down as the altitude increases. But during winter months, the trend reverses. The colder air, which is heavier, cannot move up because the upper layer air has higher temperature than the lower layer air. Even a little change in temperature will be enough for the Temperature Inversion phenomenon. Convection currents can happen only when there is a difference in temperature.

The big question is, who is, or what is, causing the temperature raise in the upper layer air. One answer is the crowded high rise buildings. 

The solution is that people living in top floors should stop using anything that heats up the air. The list includes Air Conditioners, cooking stoves, water heaters, iron box etc. The busy air traffic and hot air from tall chimneys of industries is another reason.

The hot exhaust air from vehicles may work against the Temperature Inversion phenomenon. So reducing the vehicular traffic or imposing odd-even rule may not give the desired results.

Stubble burning in far away villages in not at all a reason for Delhi's bad air. A strong wind is required for the Stubble burning to have an impact in Delhi. 

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