Seasonal Variation of Black Carbon Emissions in Urban Delhi,India

Abstract

This article reports on timing the adverse effects of black carbon released into the atmosphere from biomass combustion, vehicular emissions and local combustion sources. Black carbon contributes to global warming through its light absorption capacity, has a direct and indirect impact on climate and public health, and will result in ongoing environmental damages and claims. The authors studied measurements of black carbon taken in Delhi, India during 2016 and 2017, and reports on seasonal factors that contribute to higher emissions.     

Argemone mexicana poisoning: autopsy findings of two cases

Epidemic dropsy, a disease due to Argemone mexicana poisoning, is characterized by pathological accumulation of diluted lymph in body tissues and cavities. Recently, the largest epidemic of the disease in India affected Delhi and its neighboring states during the months of August-September 1998. Over 3000 persons fell ill, and more than 65 died in the state of Delhi alone. Two cases belonging to the same family died, out of the large number of cases admitted in this tertiary care teaching hospital situated in eastern part of Delhi. Autopsy findings of these two cases are presented and discussed here along with the review of toxicity due to this poisoning.     

Changing trends in acute poisoning in Chandigarh zone: a 25-year autopsy experience from a tertiary care hospital in northern India.

A 25-year autopsy study (1972-1997) of acute poisoning deaths from a tertiary care hospital in northern India (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh) revealed a steep increase in the incidence of acute poisoning since 1987. The majority (68%) of subjects were between the ages of 14 and 30 years, and there was a male preponderance (69%). The main victims were students and unemployed youths, followed by agricultural workers and domestic workers. The proportion of urban victims increased from 45% in the period from 1972 to 1977 to 72% in the period from 1992 to 1997. The proportion of suicidal deaths increased from 34% in the period from 1972 to 1977 to 77% in the period from 1992 to 1997, whereas accidental deaths decreased from 63% to 17% in the same period. Barbiturates (37%) and copper sulfate (22%) were the most common poisons causing mortality between 1972 and 1977; organophosphates (46%) became the most common between 1977 and 1982. Since 1982, aluminum phosphide (65%) has been the most common poison.     

Carrying Out Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Villages of Bhavnagar District of Gujarat,India

Groundwater is an important component of an eco-system fulfilling necessities of life. Continuous tapping of groundwater to meet rapidly growing demand has not only led to decline of water table levels but has also significantly deteriorated the quality of groundwater. This article aims at assessing the groundwater quality of Bhavanagar district; for which 87 sources across the district were monitored for both the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively, during a period from April 2017 to February 2018. The physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater were compared with Indian Standards for drinking water to assess the suitability of the groundwater for drinking purpose.     

Levels of Benzene,Toluene, Ethylbenzene,and Xylene near a Traffic-Congested Area of East Delhi

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) have been classified as hazardous air pollutants and cause serious effects on human health. In this study, BTEX sampling was conducted during March 2018 and the concentrations were analyzed using GC-FID. The BTEX emissions exhibited a diurnal pattern with a peak in the evening followed by in morning due to rush hours of traffic. The study suggests that the high density of vehicles and traffic on road is responsible for higher emission of BTEX that affects the health of daily commuters and also the people residing near the roadside area in East Delhi.     

Development of Criticality Index to Assess Water Quality in Major Rivers of Gujarat

Criticality of Surface Water Quality means the value of its physico-chemical parameters exceeding the specified limits and thus becomes of great importance due to their probable environmental impacts. The term was coined for intra-comparison between various parameters that determine the Water Quality. The Concept of Criticality Index is to assess the relative criticality of various parameters for Riverine Systems. These parameters are very many and include notable such as COD, DO, TDS, pH, etc. Normally, in water quality determination for river stretch, equal importance is given to all parameters and often the fact that certain parameters, more critical than others is neglected. This study emphasizes on this fact and works on related known concepts and logics, and developed the Index which is beneficial in identifying the critical parameters for river stretches. This is useful in prioritizing the mitigation measures due to their inherent characteristics.     

School Engagement Among Urban Adolescents of Color: Does Perception of Social Support and Neighborhood Safety Really Matter?

In this study we examined the effects of risk factors (perceived neighborhood crime/delinquency problems, neighborhood incivilities) and protective factors (teacher support, family support, peer support) on the school engagement of 123 urban adolescents of color. Age and gender were also examined to determine if different ages (younger or older) or genders (male or female) significantly modified the relationship between the risk factors and school engagement. Results indicated that perceived neighborhood incivilities was uniquely predictive of school engagement. Contrary to hypotheses, different levels of the perceived social support variables did not modify the effects of risky neighborhood conditions on adolescent’s perceived school engagement. Age, but not gender, significantly modified the relationship between perceived family social support and perceived neighborhood crime on adolescents’ reported levels of school engagement. The implications of the results for prevention and intervention programs that address school engagement among early adolescents of color are considered.

Women’s Empowerment Mitigates the Negative Effects of Low Production Diversity on Maternal and Child Nutrition in Nepal

Abstract

We use household survey data from Nepal to investigate relationships between women’s empowerment in agriculture and production diversity on maternal and child dietary diversity and anthropometric outcomes. Production diversity is positively associated with maternal and child dietary diversity, and weight-for-height z-scores. Women’s group membership, control over income, reduced workload, and overall empowerment are positively associated with better maternal nutrition. Control over income is positively associated with height-for-age z-scores (HAZ), and a lower gender parity gap improves children’s diets and HAZ. Women’s empowerment mitigates the negative effect of low production diversity on maternal and child dietary diversity and HAZ.     

Growth of agricultural output and labour absorption in India

The paper draws attention to the conceptual errors that arise out of the use of cross‐sectional data in the estimation of elasticity of person day employment with respect to output. It is argued that, since labour input varies significantly from crop to crop and for the same crop between different regions, it is necessary to bring this aspect explicitly into the analysis along with level of output. An alternative methodology is suggested and it is estimated that in India during the triennium ending 1970–71 to the triennium ending 1978–79 aggregate employment in crop husbandry increased by 21.02 per cent, which gives an employment elasticity with respect to total production of 0.76.