The Air Quality Index in Bhopal continued to inch dangerously close to 150 for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, amid reports of farmers once again setting fire to crop residues in violation of pollution regulations that seem to have taken a back seat with the arrival of summer.
The rise in airborne pollutants coincides with the peak stubble burning season in rural parts of the district, where enforcement efforts have repeatedly faltered, particularly during the warmer months when such practices tend to go unchecked.
Winter pollution is typically dominated by smog and particulate matter, trapped close to the ground by temperature inversions and stagnant air. In contrast, summer pollution stems largely from ground-level ozone, an invisible gas formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vehicles, industry, and open burning react under intense heat and sunlight.
This type of ozone, unlike the protective layer in the upper atmosphere, is hazardous when inhaled. It irritates the respiratory system, reduces lung function, and worsens conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
Health experts warn that summer pollution is no less dangerous than its winter counterpart. While PM2.5 and PM10 can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart and respiratory illnesses, ozone exposure can trigger asthma attacks, shortness of breath, and other breathing difficulties—especially among children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Meanwhile, waste burning incidents have also been reported from the vicinity of the Putlighar bus terminal in the old city, releasing toxic gases and fine particles into the air and compounding the already worsening situation. Despite repeated violations and growing public health concerns, pollution control authorities have yet to act decisively.
