Bose Institute study finds airborne pathogenic bacteria twice as high in densely populated Delhi
A Bose Institute study, reported by PIB on 2 September 2025, found that airborne pathogenic bacteria are two times higher over densely populated parts of Delhi, carried on fine PM2.5 particles.
Summary
Scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have found for the first time that airborne pathogenic bacteria responsible for respiratory, gastro-intestinal, oral and skin infections are two times higher over densely populated urban regions of Delhi, PIB reported on 2 September 2025. The study links this to higher concentrations of PM2.5, whose microscopic particles carry bacteria deep into the lungs. It notes that Delhi lies in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, one of the most densely populated and polluted regions in the world, where winter western disturbances lower temperatures, raise humidity and trap pollutants near the ground.
Key facts
- Reported
- 2 Sep 2025 (PIB)
- Institute
- Bose Institute (DST)
- Finding
- Airborne pathogenic bacteria 2x higher in densely populated Delhi
- Carrier
- PM2.5 particles
- Infections
- Respiratory, gastro-intestinal, oral, skin
- Region
- Indo-Gangetic Plain
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which institute's study, reported in September 2025, found airborne pathogenic bacteria to be twice as high over densely populated parts of Delhi?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bose Institute
Scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of DST, carried out the study.
According to the Bose Institute study on Delhi's air, airborne pathogenic bacteria hitch a ride mainly on:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — PM2.5 particles
The study found pathogenic bacteria were higher due to higher concentrations of PM2.5, whose tiny particles carry bacteria deep into the lungs.