Because of toxic emissions from distant industrial sources and factory chimneys, research reveals that this unexpected pattern could be.
Mumbai: Living on the top floor of a high-rise might offer sweeping views, but it also comes with a hidden health hazard: upper floors of tall buildings can be up to 40% more polluted than lower levels, according to a study by the Mumbai Ecological Research and Analysis Group (MERAG). Conducted across major residential complexes in Wadala between Feb and May 2026, the study tracked air quality across multiple elevations to evaluate how pollution behaves at different heights. Upper-floor apartments were consistently hit with heavier pollution loads, with particulate ratios between higher and lower floors peaking at 1.40 in March—meaning top levels experienced 40% higher pollution than lower floors.
Because of toxic emissions from distant industrial sources and factory chimneys which travel horizontally through the air, hitting upper towers directly without ever dropping down to ground level, research reveals that this unexpected pattern could be. Contrary to the long-held assumption that rising high above street-level traffic grants access to cleaner air, the study revealed a persistent positive vertical gradient. Speaking on the findings, the convener of MERAG said, “We had sensors going from the 2nd floor to the 26th floor, and the results are clear that pollution is systematically higher on each floor, and if we had a sensor on the 40th floor, it would have reported even higher numbers.
The pollution gets worse the higher the floor you are on. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai