UPPCB to analyse road dust for pollution control

Noida & Ghaziabad: In a micro-level study to trace dust movement with vehicular traffic, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has for the first time launched a survey of road dust in Noida, Ghaziabad and Hapur.
Samples from 35 road stretches have been taken and are being analysed in their laboratory. The results which are expected next week will show which roads need more frequent washing and sweeping.
Over four days starting October 6, UPPCB has collected street dust samples from various points in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad with guidance from IIT Kanpur. These PM10 (coarse particles) will be studies to see which ones have dust particles which are less than 75 microns.
Special attention will be given to contain dust pollution on those road stretches which have been identified as dust trails. According to UPPCB the study is being done because dust particles which are less than 75 microns travel faster on car wheels while those heavier, tend to settle down.
“Samples have been collected from various points in Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida. We have learnt the testing technique from IIT Kanpur and now the analysis will be done to zero in on exact spots where the dust quality is light and less than 75 microns. We will be trying to find the source of this dust and also enhance control measures at these stretches because list weight dust travels faster on car wheels than heavy dust particles,” Utsav Sharma, regional officer of UPPCB, Ghaziabad told TOI.
In Gautam Budh Nagar, the samples have been collected from 10 spots in Noida. “Dust has been collected with suction method from 10 spots in Noida, the samples have been sent for analysis,” Praveen Kumar, regional officer, UPPCB Noida said.