Volume 3 Issue 1 Jan-Feb 2025

Fine-Scale Air-Pollution Exposure Mapping With Low-Cost Sensor Networks In Metropolitan Areas

Authors: Sunil Kumar, Damodar Prasad Dewanda, Dr. Dharm Pal, Bharti Soni

Abstract: Accurate and high-resolution air pollution exposure data are critical for understanding urban health risks, yet traditional monitoring networks often lack the spatial density needed to capture intra-urban variability. This study presents a fine-scale air pollution exposure mapping framework using low-cost sensor networks deployed across a major metropolitan area. By integrating real-time data from particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃) sensors with land-use and meteorological data, we generate detailed spatial-temporal pollution maps at the neighborhood scale. Machine learning models are used to calibrate and validate sensor outputs against regulatory-grade monitors, ensuring reliability. The results reveal significant spatial heterogeneity in pollutant concentrations, strongly correlated with traffic density, industrial zones, and microclimatic factors. Hotspot analysis identifies vulnerable populations disproportionately exposed to harmful air pollutants. This approach demonstrates the potential of low-cost sensor networks for democratizing air quality data, informing urban planning, and advancing environmental justice in rapidly growing cities.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15806733

Aging Population And Elderly Care: Social Support Systems And Policy Interventions For Senior Citizens In India

Authors: Hritika Chauhan

Abstract: India is undergoing a profound demographic shift, with the proportion of senior citizens (aged 60 and above) steadily rising due to increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates. This research paper explores the socio-economic implications of India’s aging population, with a specific focus on social support structures and policy interventions aimed at elderly care. Drawing on secondary data from census reports, government policy documents, international organizations such as the UNFPA and WHO, and peer-reviewed scholarly sources, the study critically examines the current landscape of eldercare in India.It identifies key elements of support, including familial and community care systems, institutional frameworks, and digital initiatives. Simultaneously, the paper evaluates major national policies such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (2007), National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), and various pension schemes. Findings reveal that while several welfare mechanisms exist, implementation gaps, regional disparities, and inadequate infrastructure limit their effectiveness. Additionally, challenges such as elder abuse, digital exclusion, and economic insecurity remain significant barriers to comprehensive elderly well-being. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated, inclusive, and sustainable policy frameworks that combine health, financial security, social inclusion, and community care. These interventions must also consider India's socio-cultural diversity and urban–rural divide. In doing so, this paper contributes to the discourse on geriatric welfare in India and recommends pathways for policy reform and public sector accountability to address the evolving needs of an aging nation.