Delhi’s Toxic Air Carries Twice the Number of Germs
A recent study has uncovered a serious health concern airborne pathogens in Delhi’s air are much more common in crowded areas than in less populated parts of the city. Scientists from the Bose Institute, working under India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), discovered that these harmful microbes are almost twice as widespread in densely packed neighbourhoods.
Pathogens Hitching a Ride on PM2.5
The study, published in the international journal Atmospheric Environment: X, revealed that microscopic dust particles known as PM2.5 play a key role in spreading these pathogens. According to lead researcher Dr. Sanat Kumar Das, these fine particles act like vehicles, allowing bacteria to travel through the city’s polluted air.
Because PM2.5 particles are small enough to reach deep into the lungs, they can also carry bacteria into the body, potentially triggering infections in the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, and skin.
Why Delhi Is at Higher Risk
Delhi, located in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), is one of the world’s most polluted and densely populated regions. This combination creates ideal conditions for airborne microbes to thrive.
During winter, western disturbances lower the temperature and increase humidity. This weather shift leads to stagnant winds and a lower boundary layer in the atmosphere, trapping pollutants closer to the ground. The result is a toxic mix of pollution and microbes lingering in the air for longer periods.
Researchers caution that the transition from winter to summer, especially during hazy days or winter rains, creates high-risk windows for the spread of airborne diseases. These conditions allow harmful microbes to survive and circulate more easily, raising the risk of community-level transmission.
Health Implications for Urban Residents
Previous studies had already shown a rise in airborne microbes during winter in the IGP. However, this research is among the first to clearly link air pollution, weather conditions, and population density to changes in airborne bacterial communities.
For residents of megacities like Delhi, this means that breathing polluted air not only exposes them to chemical toxins but also to invisible bacterial populations enriched with disease-causing pathogens.
Conclusion
The findings serve as a critical wake-up call for policymakers and health experts. By understanding how pollution, climate patterns, and overcrowding influence airborne pathogens, governments can design better strategies to predict outbreaks, improve urban planning, and safeguard public health.
“Megacities such as Delhi must prepare for the hidden biological risks of air pollution,” the researchers stressed, emphasising that future health policies must account for the microbial component of dirty air, not just chemical pollutants.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 3 September 2025
- 20:00
