Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India Cities

Poor air quality in India has sparked our interest in studying the time series dynamics of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in India’s five most populous cities (Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata). Daily data for the period 2014–2023 are examined in the paper. Using fractional integrati...

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Main Authors: Luis A. Gil-Alana, Nieves Carmona-González
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Atmosphere
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/5/534
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author Luis A. Gil-Alana
Nieves Carmona-González
author_facet Luis A. Gil-Alana
Nieves Carmona-González
author_sort Luis A. Gil-Alana
collection DOAJ
description Poor air quality in India has sparked our interest in studying the time series dynamics of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in India’s five most populous cities (Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata). Daily data for the period 2014–2023 are examined in the paper. Using fractional integration methods, we analyze the persistence, seasonality, and time trends of the data. The results indicate that all seriGewekees display fractional degrees of integration, being smaller than 1 and thus presenting mean reversion. Moreover, the time trends are significantly negative only for New Delhi and Kolkata, implying a continuous reduction in the level of pollution. These findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as stricter emission regulations, improved urban planning, and the promotion of clean technologies, are essential to sustain and amplify the observed improvements in air quality. The study also highlights the need for consistent and long-term efforts to address pollution in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai, where no significant reductions have been observed, emphasizing the importance of adapting policies to regional conditions. The paper’s findings can serve as a guide for air pollution management and for policymakers at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the governmental body responsible for monitoring and regulating environmental pollution in India.
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spelling doaj-art-62886f5ae23b42d88f7dd2e48d698e492025-08-20T03:47:50ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-04-0116553410.3390/atmos16050534Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India CitiesLuis A. Gil-Alana0Nieves Carmona-González1Department of Economics, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, SpainDepartment of Economics, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Madrid, SpainPoor air quality in India has sparked our interest in studying the time series dynamics of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in India’s five most populous cities (Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata). Daily data for the period 2014–2023 are examined in the paper. Using fractional integration methods, we analyze the persistence, seasonality, and time trends of the data. The results indicate that all seriGewekees display fractional degrees of integration, being smaller than 1 and thus presenting mean reversion. Moreover, the time trends are significantly negative only for New Delhi and Kolkata, implying a continuous reduction in the level of pollution. These findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as stricter emission regulations, improved urban planning, and the promotion of clean technologies, are essential to sustain and amplify the observed improvements in air quality. The study also highlights the need for consistent and long-term efforts to address pollution in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai, where no significant reductions have been observed, emphasizing the importance of adapting policies to regional conditions. The paper’s findings can serve as a guide for air pollution management and for policymakers at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the governmental body responsible for monitoring and regulating environmental pollution in India.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/5/534air qualitytime trendslong memoryfractional integrationseasonality
spellingShingle Luis A. Gil-Alana
Nieves Carmona-González
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India Cities
Atmosphere
air quality
time trends
long memory
fractional integration
seasonality
title Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India Cities
title_full Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India Cities
title_fullStr Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India Cities
title_full_unstemmed Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India Cities
title_short Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<sub>2.5</sub>): Persistence and Trends in the Air Quality of Five India Cities
title_sort particulate matter 2 5 pm sub 2 5 sub persistence and trends in the air quality of five india cities
topic air quality
time trends
long memory
fractional integration
seasonality
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/5/534
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