Air pollution soared during Diwali

PUNE: Diwali celebrations resulted in high levels of air pollution in many parts of the city.

According to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which continuously monitored the ambient air quality from November 3 to 8, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) levels were much higher than permissible levels on those days.

The National Air Monitoring Programme identifies four air pollutants viz, sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM/PM10). The permissible limit of RSPM/PM10 is 100 ug/m3 as per the ambient air quality monitoring standards. Similarly, the permissible limit for NO2 and SO2 is 80 ug/m3, and that of SPM is 200 ug/m3.

The places monitored for their ambient air quality were Karve road (CAAQMS), the PCMC building, Nal Stop (SNDT), Swargate (police station), Bhosari (MIDC), Swargate, Deccan (Alka chowk), Nal Stop (telephone exchange) and a PCMC area (Talera hospital).

P K Mirashe, Pune regional officer of the MPCB, said, "The ambient air quality of Karve road, Nal Stop, Swargate and PCMC is monitored twice a week on a routine basis. However, during Diwali, we added other locations to this list. On an average, the RSPM concentration exceeded the prescribed standards during the festival. This can be attributed to bursting firecrackers, including aerial crackers and sparklers."

Mirashe said that in all cases, the SO2 concentration was observed to be within the prescribed limit of 80 ug/m3. "However, the concentration of SO2 during Diwali increased as compared to its usual levels ascertained through routine monitoring. Fireworks contain sulphur, which gets oxidized to sulphur dioxide later," he said.

Similarly, in the case of NO2, its concentration was well within the prescribed limit of 80 ug/m3, but was found to be higher this time, than what it is during routine monitoring. "The chemicals present in firecrackers increased the concentration of NO2 in the air," added Mirashe.

On November 3, the level of PM10 was estimated as 117 ug/m3 in Karve road (CAAQMS), 94 ug/m3 near PCMC building and 82 ug/m3 in Bhosari (MIDC). On November 5, the PM10 levels escalated to 123 ug/m3 in Karve road (CAAQMS), 191 ug/m3 near the PCMC building, 241 ug/m3 in Nal Stop (SNDT), 199 ug/m3 in Bhosari (MIDC), 148 ug/m3 in Swargate, 159 ug/m3 in Deccan (Alka Chowk) and 210 ug/m3 in Nal Stop (Telephone exchange).

On November 7, the PM10 levels were found to be 153 ug/m3 on Karve road (CAAQMS), 63 ug/m3 near the PCMC building, 178 ug/m3 in Swargate, 162 ug/m3 in Deccan (Alka Chowk) and 145 ug/m3 in Nal Stop (Telephone exchange).

"The SPM level in the PCMC Talera Hospital area on November 5 was 373 ug/m3. On November 6, it was 275 ug/m3 and on November 7 it was 180 ug/m3," said Mirashe.

Mirashe added that an excess of SO2 and NO2 have a negative impact on health. "Continued or frequent exposure to pollutant concentrations that are typically much higher than those normally found in the ambient air may cause increased incidence of respiratory problems," he said.

Apart from the presence of pollutants, other factors that affect the ambient air quality of an area include weather conditions, wind direction and wind velocity. "Low temperature will affect the dispersal of pollutants, and such a scenario will increase a chemical's concentration in a particular area. Similarly, open spaces and a clear sky allow unhindered dispersal of a pollutant. However, as compared to 2009, the level of pollutants in the air during Diwali has come down," said Mirashe.

Source: Times of India , 11-11-2010