Newsinc24 Team
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday inaugurated the Integrated Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL), a specialised facility aimed at identifying the sources, composition and potential health impacts of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Established under Mission Mausam, the facility is designed to provide real-time information on pollution sources and their relative contributions, helping authorities move beyond Air Quality Index (AQI) readings to develop targeted pollution-control measures.
The facility was inaugurated at the Delhi branch of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM),Dr Jitendra Singh said the laboratory would help scientists determine not only the level of pollution in the atmosphere but also its chemical composition, origin and potential health implications. He said the facility would strengthen scientific evidence for air-quality management and support timely interventions by government agencies.
AATAL is equipped to analyse atmospheric gases, aerosols, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), metals, toxic elements and other pollutants. Its capabilities will help distinguish between pollution sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial activity, biomass and crop-residue burning, construction and road dust, and pollution transported from neighbouring regions. The laboratory will estimate the relative contribution of different sources to deteriorating air quality, helping authorities identify the sectors and locations requiring priority intervention.
The inauguration of AATAL marks an effort to strengthen the link between atmospheric research, pollution forecasting and public policy. Its effectiveness will depend on how the information generated is used by authorities to implement targeted measures and evaluate their impact on air quality.
