Study finds uranium,lead in CP’s air

On Tuesday,officials of Systemlife and Dr Antoniette M Gatti from the University of Modena were in the Capital to release their report. “I still do not understand where the particle came from but it was there among others,” Dr Gatti told Newsline.

The analysts also found a high level of lead — exposure to lead can damage human organs and cause retardation among infants. Officials said the high levels of lead are a result of leaded fuels. According to the report,other toxic particles found include carbon,zinc and nitrogen oxide.

The report by Dr Stefano Montanari,a scientist with Systemlife said: “Particularly interesting and rare is this particle. Its composition of thorium and uranium and its partly rounded shape pose questions about its origin that cannot be solved by resorting to the samples available alone. Further research carried out on the spot could be more satisfactory.”

Pierpaolo Garibaldi,a Systemlife scientist based in Italy,said the presence of a high amount of pollutants in the air adversely affects public health,including breathing difficulties— in some cases it can even cause cancer.

The team has now sent a copy of its findings to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and has also sought more air purifiers in the city.

Systemlife,which has also set up similar air purifiers in Europe,had placed one in Connaught Place as a pilot project in India in collaboration with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).

The filtering station claims to reduce airborne concentration of particulate matter and other pollutants,including health-threatening solid and gaseous pollutants.

Within a span of one hour,this station can eliminate particulate matter produced by 300 cars of Euro-4 type,running at the speed of 10 km/hour near the filtering system and stopping for about one minute.

After its report today,NDMC spokesperson Anand Tiwari said it is too early to confirm if more such machines will be placed in area under the civic body. “The decision will be taken only after deliberations between the officials,” he said.

Possible reasons for pollution: report
* Use of old technology cars
* Tyres and brakes producing toxic emission
* Oil lubricant in two-stroke engine
* Poor industry emission management
* Increasing level of construction
* Less rain