The Relationship Between PM2.5 Concentration and Meteorological Parameters at Sherubtse College, Eastern Bhutan

This study was conducted at Sherubtse College located at Kanglung gewog under Trashigang dzongkhag to validate the relationship between PM2.5 concentration and meteorological parameters. R Studio version 2023.09.1+494 and Microsoft Excel 2019 were used to analyze and visually represent the data. Karl Pearson correlation was used to correlate concentration of PM2.5 to the metrological factors. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of metrological factors on the concentration of PM2.5 and to determine annual and seasonal variations associated with PM2.5 concentration. The study showed that 113 days in 2022 had crossed the WHO 24 hours limit of PM2.5 concentration. The study indicated that PM2.5 had strongest correlation with temperature (r = -0.41) followed by precipitation (r = -0.17). However, there was difference in the strength of correlation in various season. The study also concluded that the intensity of rain is inversely proportional to the concentration of PM2.5. Furthermore, the concentration of PM2.5 is dominated by the wind flowing from the southern area from the study location. Thus, this study suggests that the variation in concentration of PM2.5 should be considered during policy formulation and for better health of people living in Kanglung gewog and across the country.