West Bengal Tackles Pollution: Urban vs Rural Toxicity Levels Explored

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board has joined forces with Columbia University and a Bengaluru think tank to analyze whether pollutants in urban and rural areas share similar toxicity levels. This study aims to assess how variations in pollutant composition impact public health across different regions.

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) is collaborating with Columbia University and a Bengaluru-based think tank to analyze whether pollutants in urban industrial areas and rural regions exhibit comparable levels of toxicity. Insights from this study could reveal differing public health impacts based on pollutant composition variations.

A WBPCB official emphasizes that toxicity differences between urban and rural pollutants could result in distinct health implications. Moreover, Air Quality Index (AQI) readings might not accurately reflect the true toxicity of pollutants across various locations, prompting this examination.

Columbia University, led by Faye McNeill from its Clean Air Initiative, supports the WBPCB in data calibration, analysis, and policy advisory. Chairman Kalyan Rudra notes the need for climate change analysis, highlighting carbon-dioxide emissions, rising temperatures, and their impact on ecological patterns and cyclone frequency.

(With inputs from agencies.)