Bio


She is an environmental researcher working on the negative implications of air pollution on human health and climate change. She has worked on monitoring, mapping, emission inventory, and identifying health hazards of Volatile Organic Compounds, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and Particulate Matter present in the air. Anchal conducted extensive fieldwork, surveys, and cross-sectional studies to identify air quality and health-related data. Her current project is modeling and measuring the health consequences of indoor air pollutants formed during the combustion of stove gas in California.

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations


  • New Map of Life Fellow, Stanford Center on Longevity (2022 - Present)

Professional Education


  • Doctor of Philosophy, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (2021)
  • Bachelor of Science, University Of Delhi (2014)
  • Bachelor of Education, Maharshi Dayanand University (2014)
  • Master of Science, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (2017)
  • Ph.D., Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India, Environmental Science (2021)
  • PG Diploma, Indira Gandhi National Open University, India, Applied Statistics (2018)
  • M.Sc., Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India, Environment Management (2016)
  • B.Ed., Maharshi Dayanand University, Haryana, India, Life Science and Physical Science (2014)
  • B.Sc., Hansraj College, University of Delhi, India, Life Sciences (2013)

Stanford Advisors


All Publications


  • Spatio-Temporal Variability and Health Risk Assessment of Benzo[a]pyrene in Different Population Through Ambient Air Exposure in Delhi, India EXPOSURE AND HEALTH Garg, A., Gupta, N. C., Kumar, A. 2022; 14 (1): 111-127
  • Short-term variability on particulate and gaseous emissions induced by fireworks during Diwali celebrations for two successive years in outdoor air of an urban area in Delhi, India SN APPLIED SCIENCES Garg, A., Gupta, N. 2020; 2 (12)
  • The Great Smog Month and Spatial and Monthly Variation in Air Quality in Ambient Air in Delhi, India JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND POLLUTION Garg, A., Gupta, N. C. 2020; 10 (27): 200910

    Abstract

    In recent years, poor urban air quality in Delhi, India has gained significant attention. Episodic events including crop stubble burning and Diwali celebrations are considered major factors in the worsening quality of ambient air.This study aimed to investigate spatial and monthly variation as well as the role of episodic events in ambient air quality in Delhi, including the 'Great Smog' month of November 2017.Monitoring of air pollutants (particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) was carried out at three distinct locations of Delhi from April 2017-February 2018. The concentration of NO2 was measured using a modified Jacob and Hochheiser method and PM was measured using a GRIMM aerosol spectrometer. Air quality index was also determined to identify the effects of air pollution on human health.Overall, the levels of air pollution were found to be approximately 2.1-3.2 times higher along a traffic intersection and about 1.4-2.0 times higher in a commercial area compared with an institutional area. The highest average monthly concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, PM1 and NO2 were 768, 374, 298 and 149 μg/m3, respectively, during the Great Smog month of November 2017. November and August were recorded as the most polluted and cleanest months, respectively, in the city. Generally, poor to severe categories of the air quality index (AQI) were obtained from October to February. Higher concentrations during November were attributed to stubble burning in the nearby states of Delhi with the additive effect of fireworks during Diwali celebrations.Severe ambient air quality as observed in the present study is a serious matter of concern for the health of Delhi's population. To control spikes in poor air quality during episodic events, it is imperative to raise awareness among farmers regarding the severe health hazards of stubble burning.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

    View details for DOI 10.5696/2156-9614-10.27.200910

    View details for Web of Science ID 000564246000010

    View details for PubMedID 32874766

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7453814

  • Study of Seasonal and Spatial Variability among Benzene, Toluene, and p-Xylene (BTp-X) in Ambient Air of Delhi, India POLLUTION Garg, A., Gupta, N. C., Tyagi, S. K. 2019; 5 (1): 135-146
  • A comprehensive study on spatio-temporal distribution, health risk assessment and ozone formation potential of BTEX emissions in ambient air of Delhi, India SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT Garg, A., Gupta, N. C. 2019; 659: 1090-1099

    Abstract

    The hazardous air pollutants like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are considered as toxic because of their role in ozone formation and adverse effects on human health. Owing to this, the present study was carried out at six spatially distributed sites in Delhi from November 2017- June 2018. Activated charcoal tubes were used to collect samples of BTEX and were further analyzed using GC-FID. The minimum BTEX concentration was found at institutional site (9.94 μg/m3) and maximum at roadside site (103.12 μg/m3) with the average of 46.66 μg/m3. Also, the levels of BTEX were 1.18-1.74 times higher during rush hours as compared to non-rush hours. The high T/B ratio (2.26-3.41) observed is the indication of the traffic-originated sources of emission. The cancer risks calculated for benzene at probability 0.50 ranged as 1.29E-06 - 1.80E-05, whereas 4.09E-06 - 3.40E-05 at probability 0.95, which were higher than the acceptable value of 1.0E-06. The non-cancer health risks in terms of hazard index were observed less than unity i.e. within acceptable limit. The total ozone formation potential (OFP) was obtained as 207.51 ± 123.40 μg/m3 with maximum potential by toluene. Such high levels of BTEX, cancer risks and OFP obtained in the study especially at roadside and connectivity hub are harmful for people residing near these areas, and also to large commuters, who are exposed to such emissions during travelling.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.426

    View details for Web of Science ID 000457293700107

    View details for PubMedID 31096324