Particle size distribution in ambient air of Delhi and its statistical analysis

Particle size distribution in ambient air has been studied in an urban city, Delhi. Different activity sites namely; kerbside, industrial and residential were selected for the study. The statistical analysis was carried out to study the frequency distribution and sources of different particle size fractions. The dominance of coarse particles attributed to local activities was observed at all the sites. It was observed that at kerbside sites, up to 52% of the particles were lower respiratory tract and up to 47% of the particles were upper respiratory tract particles. At residential and industrial sites, up to 40% and 31% were lower and upper respiratory tract particles, respectively. Factor analysis results indicated auto-exhaust as the dominant source of particulate matter at two of the kerbside sites. Resuspended dust was dominant at remaining two kerbside and residential sites. It was inferred using geometric standard deviation of particle size fractions that these were from different sources at residential and industrial site and from similar sources at three of the kerbside sites.