In Delhi, the capital of India, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) poses alarming challenges to human health and well-being. The majority of air pollution studies are focused on measurements of concentrations and composition of atmospheric particulate matter and gaseous species. However, a more useful insight is the actual impact on human health due to air pollution—and how this varies with pollutant abundance and pollutant source. Toxic potential measures the intrinsic/extrinsic toxicity of PM. Source apportionment studies are required to determine dominant sources contributing to PM toxic potential. Thus, health hazardous emission sources could be targeted first to reduce the air pollution levels in the region.

在印度首都德里，细颗粒物（PM _2.5）对人类健康和福祉构成了令人震惊的挑战。大多数空气污染研究的重点是大气颗粒物和气态物质的浓度和组成的测量。但是，更有用的见解是空气污染对人体健康的实际影响，以及这种影响如何随污染物含量和污染物来源的变化而变化。有毒潜力衡量PM的内在/外在毒性。需要进行源分配研究，以确定导致PM潜在毒性的主要源。因此，首先要确定危害健康的排放源，以减少该地区的空气污染水平。