Unveiling Bihar’s Atmospheric Crisis: A Synoptic Review of PM 2.5 Dynamics, Source Attribution, and Airshed Vulnerabilities in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain (Bihar)

Year : 2026 | Volume : 04 | Issue : 01 | Page : 1 10
    By

    Krishna Roy,

  • Amrita Raj Bharti,

  • Umakant Kumar,

  • Animesh Kumar,

  • Shashi Prabha Dubey,

  1. Project Assistant, Department of Chemistry, Thakur Prasad Singh College, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
  2. PhD student, Department of Chemistry, Thakur Prasad Singh College, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
  3. Research Scholar, Department of Chemistry, Thakur Prasad Singh College, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
  4. PhD student, Department of Chemistry, Sainath University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
  5. Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Thakur Prasad Singh College, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India

Abstract

Bihar, situated in the pollution-trapping Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), faces a severe air pollution crisis characterized by annual PM2.5 concentrations of 80–100 μg m-3 exceeding WHO guidelines (5 μg m-3) and Indian NAAQS (40 μg m-3) by 4–6-fold. This review synthesizes data from CPCB/BSPCB monitoring, MODIS satellite retrievals, and peer-reviewed studies (2000–2025) to assess ambient air quality, sources, health impacts, policies, and research gaps in the state. PM2.5 and PM10 dominate, with rural levels rivaling urban centers like Patna (80–90% poor AQI days in winter/post-monsoon). Source apportionment reveals brick kilns (6,500+ units, 15–35% PM2.5), biomass burning (70% rural households), vehicular emissions, and transboundary inflows from UP/WB as key drivers. Winter inversions and declining rainfall exacerbate stagnation. Health burdens include respiratory/cardiovascular diseases, anemia (10–15% higher near kilns), and ~2% GSDP loss from premature mortality/productivity declines. Vulnerable groups-children, the elderly, and rickshaw pullers-face disproportionate risks. National Clean Air Program (NCAP) action plans promote zigzag kilns (82–85% adoption, 50–75% PM cuts), CNG/EVs, and CAAQMS expansion, yet implementation lags. Challenges persist: rural monitoring gaps, speciation deficits, and feedback on climate-pollution. This review calls for airshed-level management across IGP states, integrating dense sensors, emission inventories, and coupled climate-air models to achieve sustainable air quality improvements and co-benefits for health/economy.

Keywords: Air pollution, bihar, brick kiln emissions, indo-gangetic plain, PM2.5

[This article belongs to International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control ]

How to cite this article:
Krishna Roy, Amrita Raj Bharti, Umakant Kumar, Animesh Kumar, Shashi Prabha Dubey. Unveiling Bihar’s Atmospheric Crisis: A Synoptic Review of PM 2.5 Dynamics, Source Attribution, and Airshed Vulnerabilities in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain (Bihar). International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control. 2026; 04(01):1-10.
How to cite this URL:
Krishna Roy, Amrita Raj Bharti, Umakant Kumar, Animesh Kumar, Shashi Prabha Dubey. Unveiling Bihar’s Atmospheric Crisis: A Synoptic Review of PM 2.5 Dynamics, Source Attribution, and Airshed Vulnerabilities in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain (Bihar). International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control. 2026; 04(01):1-10. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijppc/article=2026/view=241747


References

  1. Dhimal M, Chirico F, Bista B, Sharma S, Chalise B, Dhimal ML, et al. Impact of air pollution on global burden of disease in 2019. Processes. 2021;9(10):1719. doi:10.3390/pr9101719.
  2. Nair M, Bherwani H, Mirza S, Anjum S, Kumar R. Valuing burden of premature mortality attributable to air pollution in major million-plus non-attainment cities of India. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):22771. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02232-z.
  3. Ghosh A, Nagar PK, Maddhesia J, Sharma M, Azmi S, Singh B, et al. A district-level emission inventory of anthropogenic PM2.5 from the primary sources over the Indian Indo Gangetic Plain: Identification of the emission hotspots. Sci Total Environ. 2024;914:169865. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169865.
  4. Jat R, Gurjar BR. Contribution of different source sectors and source regions of Indo-Gangetic Plain in India to PM2.5 pollution and its short-term health impacts during peak polluted winter. Atmos Pollut Res. 2021;12(4):89–100. doi:10.1016/j.apr.2021.02.016.
  5. Srivastava S. Clean Air for Delhi: An analysis of barriers to NCAP targets and recommendations for improvement [dissertation]. New Delhi: IIHMR Delhi; 2024.
  6. Mishra A. (2025). Rural Bihar hidden air pollution hotspot, 90% days unsafe to breathe. [online] India Today. Available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/environment/story/bihar-rural-air-pollution-pm25-crisis-brick-kilns-biomass-burning-winter-toxic-airshed-amrit-study-2827069-2025-11-27.
  7. ‌PTI. (2024). Bihar: Study to trace air pollution sources in Gaya, Muzaffarpur to begin soon. [online] ThePrint. Available from: https://theprint.in/india/bihar-study-to-trace-air-pollution-sources-in-gaya-muzaffarpur-to-begin-soon/1924202/
  8. Ghosh B, De A, Seth M, Ghosh K, Sarkar O, Das S, et al. Evaluating the national burden of PM2.5 in India: A comprehensive study of spatiotemporal distribution at state and city levels, non-carcinogenic health hazards, and premature mortality. Environ Monit Assess. 2025;198(1):43. doi:10.1007/s10661-025-14860-3.
  9. Nidhi Kumari. Evaluation of gaseous pollutants level prevailing in the ambient atmosphere around Barauni Oil Refinery. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2018;7(4 Suppl):8–10.
  10. Ghosh S, Sinha D. Indian perspective of PM2.5 attributed human health hazards during 2010–2025. Air Qual Atmos Health. 2025;18(9):2765–2804. doi:10.1007/s11869-025-01793-6.
  11. Hu Y, Ji JS, Zhao B. Deaths attributable to indoor PM2.5 in urban China when outdoor air meets 2021 WHO air quality guidelines. Environ Sci Technol. 2022;56(22):15882–15891. doi:10.1021/acs.est.2c03715.
  12. Sahu SK, Kota SH. Significance of PM2.5 air quality at the Indian capital. Aerosol Air Qual Res. 2017;17(2):588–597. doi:10.4209/aaqr.2016.06.0262.
  13. Dey S. Air Quality Patterns and Trends in Bihar. Prepared for Bihar Pollution Control Board. New Delhi: Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Arun Duggal Centre for Clean Air (CERCA), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi; 2021.
  14. Arif M, Kumar R, Kumar R, Zusman E, Gourav P. Corrigendum to “Ambient black carbon, PM2.5 and PM10 at Patna: Influence of anthropogenic emissions and brick kilns” [Sci Total Environ. 624 (2018) 1387–1400]. Sci Total Environ. 2018;644:1649. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.354.
  15. Agrawal G, Rahman H, Mondal A, Reddy PK. Visualizing spatio-temporal variation of ambient air pollution in four small towns in India. In: Rage UK, Goyal V, Reddy PK, editors. Database Systems for Advanced Applications. DASFAA 2022 International Workshops: BDMS, BDQM, GDMA, IWBT, MAQTDS, and PMBD, Virtual Event, April 11–14, 2022, Proceedings. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2022. p. 417–436. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-11217-1_30.
  16. Jena MC, Mishra SK, Moharana HS. Air pollution from cement plants: Case study on particulate matter in Bihar, India. Environ Claims J. 2020;32(3):221–232. doi:10.1080/10406026.2020.1714200.
  17. Sinha BRK, editor. Urban Dynamics, Environment and Health. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore; 2023. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-5744-6.
  18. Arif M, Kumar R, Kumar R, Zusman E. Emission of black carbon and other particulate matter from transportation sector. In: Asian Atmospheric Pollution. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2022. p. 393–408. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-816693-2.00006-8.
  19. Bilal M, Hassan M, Tahir DBT, Iqbal MS, Shahid I. Understanding the role of atmospheric circulations and dispersion of air pollution associated with extreme smog events over South Asian megacity. Environ Monit Assess. 2022;194(2):82. doi:10.1007/s10661-021-09674-y.
  20. Sharma A, Masiwal R. Rising extreme event of smog in Northern India: Problems and challenges. In: Saxena P, Shukla A, Gupta AK, editors. Extremes in Atmospheric Processes and Phenomenon: Assessment, Impacts and Mitigation. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore; 2022. p. 205–236. doi:10.1007/978-981-16-7727-4_9.
  21. Tripathi P. (2023). Seven from Bihar among 50 most polluted cities in world. [online] The Times of India. Available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/seven-from-bihar-among-50-most-polluted-cities-in-world/articleshow/98678625.cms
  22. ‌Nyayapathi PP, Namuduri S, Kolli SK. A comprehensive review of vertical profiling of ambient air quality-particulate matter and its impacts on climatic & environmental health. Air Qual Atmos Health. 2025;18:1569–1595. doi:10.1007/s11869-025-01697-5.
  23. Central Pollution Control Board. National Ambient Air Quality Index Bulletin (Annual Summary 2024–2025). New Delhi: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India; 2025.
  24. Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. (2025). Tracing the Hazy Air 2025: Progress Report on National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). [online] Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Available from: https://energyandcleanair.org/publication/tracing-the-hazy-air-2025-progress-report-on-national-clean-air-programme-ncap/
  25. ‌Bihar State Pollution Control Board. Action Taken Report on Air Quality Index in Non-attainment Cities: Patna, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur. Filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), O.A. No. 687/2023. Patna: BSPCB; 2024.
  26. Respirer Living Sciences. Indian cities’ air quality progress report: 2019–2024 trends. Mumbai: Respirer Living Sciences; 2025.
  27. PRANA (Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Admonished Non-attainment cities). City-wise air quality statistics for Bihar. New Delhi: Central Pollution Control Board; 2026. Available from: https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/
  28. Kumar A, Yadav IC, Shukla A, Devi NL. Seasonal variation of PM2.5 in the central Indo-Gangetic Plain (Patna) of India: Chemical characterization and source assessment. SN Appl Sci. 2020;2. doi:10.1007/s42452-020-3160-y.
  29. Devi NL, Kumar A, Yadav IC. PM10 and PM2.5 in Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India: Chemical characterization, source analysis, and transport pathways. Urban Clim. 2020;33:100663. doi:10.1016/j.uclim.2020.100663.
  30. Kumar N, Kumar S, Pandey SP. Traffic-related air pollution and associated human health risk. Macromol Symp. 2023;407(1). doi:10.1002/masy.202100486.
  31. Soumya R, Goyal M, Anand N, Sinha D, Anjali. Digital well-being analytics: Social media, AI, and mental health. Int J Sci Res Sci Technol. 2026;13:263–278. doi:10.32628/ijsrst.
  32. Montes C, Sapkota T, Singh B. Seasonal patterns in rice and wheat residue burning and surface PM2.5 concentration in northern India. Atmos Environ X. 2022;13:100154. doi:10.1016/j.aeaoa.2022.100154.
  33. Mor S, Singh T, Bishnoi NR, Bhukal S, Ravindra K. Understanding seasonal variation in ambient air quality and its relationship with crop residue burning activities in an agrarian state of India. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022;29(3):4145–4158. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-15631-6.
  34. Ruhela M, Kumar S, Ahamad F. Assessment of ambient air quality at the selected locations along the under-construction Danapur–Bihta elevated road, Patna, Bihar. Environ Conserv J. 2025;26(4):1349–1356. doi:10.36953/ecj.35223186.
  35. Manisalidis I, Stavropoulou E, Stavropoulos A, Bezirtzoglou E. Environmental and health impacts of air pollution: A review. Front Public Health. 2020;8:14. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00014.
  36. Franklin BA, Brook R, Pope CA 3rd. Air pollution and cardiovascular disease. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2015;40(5):207–238. doi:10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2015.01.003.
  37. Duan RR, Hao K, Yang T. Air pollution and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chronic Dis Transl Med. 2020;6(4):260–269. doi:10.1016/j.cdtm.2020.05.004.
  38. Chen C, Liu X, Wang X, Qu W, Li W, Dong L. Effect of air pollution on hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020;27(3):3384–3400. doi:10.1007/s11356-019-07236-x.
  39. Pandey A, Brauer M, Cropper ML, Balakrishnan K, Mathur P, Dey S, et al. Health and economic impact of air pollution in the states of India: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Planet Health. 2021;5(1):e25–e38. doi:10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30298-9.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 04
Issue 01
Received 13/01/2026
Accepted 16/01/2026
Published 07/02/2026
Publication Time 25 Days
98

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics