New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS): With air pollution reaching 'severe' levels every winter in the national capital, the Delhi government on Monday joined hands with the Washington University to monitor real-time air quality and identify pollution sources in the city for the next 18 months.

"Delhi government has signed a MoU with Washington University (St Louise) to undertake a real-time Source Apportionment Study in India's national capital to evaluate the air quality issues," an official statement released by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain's office said.

The MoU, it said, is aimed at a joint study to be undertaken by the Washington University and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for the real-time source apportionment with special reference to particulate matter (PM)2.5.

"Analysis of elemental, organic carbon and 72 inorganic elements will also be undertaken under the study," the statement said, adding that the work will be undertaken by the personnel of the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Laboratory (AAQRL).

Under the study, two special monitors will be used to obtain the composition of PM2.5. "The data will help to understand the source profile which needs to be regulated for the effective improvement of air quality in the city," Hussain's office said.

Wireless sensors will also be deployed in the city to help monitor the real-time air quality and the source of pollution at select locations in the city.

"The real-time data will help policy developers to regulate and improve the air quality, whereas the state of art instrument demonstration will lead a path of capacity building development," the statement said.