ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kolkata is classified as one of the cities which has been subjected to pollution and impromptu planning in the word. This study carried out is mainly focused on the trend of concentration of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter in North Kolkata region of West Bengal. The study also includes the air pollution related health symptoms on the urban slum region and how the different socioeconomic factors like age, income and occupation influence it. “The key findings from literature review show us that there has been an increase in air pollutant concentration of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Kolkata over the years.” However, from our key findings of our analysis the overall trend in air pollutant of PM2.5 and PM 10 experiences a drop in margin from 2019 to 2020 as the pandemic restrictions increased in the city. On weekdays the particulate levels were approximately 60% more than on weekends and public holidays. PM2.5 level has been noted to be exceptionally high during winter season in North Kolkata is due to the increased polluting activities during the season. “The use of unclean fuel for cooking, not having a separate kitchen or a kitchen exhaust and use of mosquito repellents or pesticides formed as a direct source of indoor air pollution among the slum households of the city.” This has shown an evident impact on the respiratory related health symptoms of the housewives of North Kolkata region. Greater instances of respiratory related health risks like coughing, eye irritation, nasal congestion, chest discomfort and breathlessness while walking and climbing was noted in elderly people (more than 50 years of age) and on lower income class of people (up to five thousand rupees).
Key words: Urban slum, particulate matter, gaseous pollutant, health risks, income, age.
