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6th June 2024 (12 Topics)

"Painting with Light" Project on Air Pollution

Context

Researchers and artists teamed up for a project called "Painting with Light" to visualize air pollution in India and other countries. They used digital light painting and low-cost air pollution sensors to create striking images showing pollution levels.

Key Findings:

  • In India, they found significant differences in air quality between urban Delhi and rural Palampur, with Palampur having much lower pollution levels.
  • Similar variations were observed in Ethiopia and Wales, highlighting the impact of different environments on air quality.
  • Particulate Matter (PM) pollution, particularly PM2.5, was the main focus due to its severe health impacts.

Why it matters?

  • The team used low-cost sensors to measure PM concentrations in real-time. LED lights were controlled by these sensors to create visual representations of pollution levels.
  • Long exposure photography captured these light patterns, with more dots indicating higher PM concentrations.
  • The project makes invisible air pollution visible, sparking discussions and raising awareness about its health risks.
  • It provides a simple way for people to understand and compare air pollution levels in different locations.

Fact box: Extent of Pollution in India:

  • An estimated 1.36 billion people in India experience PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the WHO's recommended annual guideline level of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
  • 96% of India's population, or 1.33 billion people, face PM2.5 levels more than seven times the WHO guideline.
  • Over 66% of Indian cities report annual PM2.5 averages greater than 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
  • Health Impacts:
    • Air pollution is a significant threat to human health, responsible for an estimated one in every nine deaths globally.
    • Exposure to PM2.5 pollution can lead to asthma, cancer, stroke, lung disease, and other serious health conditions.
    • Children's cognitive development, mental health, and existing illnesses, like diabetes, can be adversely affected by exposure to fine particles.
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