level of suspended solids in the air seven times higher than prescribed standards
There’s still a day to go for Diwali, but air quality in the national Capital has already reached alarming levels. The quality has worsened so much that the level of suspended solids in the air is over seven times higher than the prescribed standards. Areas like Anand Vihar, Civil lines and Mandir Marg are worst hit not just by increasing PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels, but also by high concentrations of ozone, benzene and sulphur dioxide in the air.
Touted as a ‘world-class city’ while at the same time being the most polluted in the world, Delhi is ailing due to severe air pollution. Particulate matter (PM) 10 (coarse particles) levels are up by more than 700 micrograms per cubic metres (mg/m3). The worst-affected area under this is Anand Vihar which recorded 738 mg/m3 while the standard level of PM 10 is only 100 mg/m3. This is followed by the posh Civil lines area which has 514.89 mg/m3 PM 10 levels. Third highest was found in Mandir Marg, which recorded 336 mg/m3. It is pertinent to note that PM 10 levels have been 10 to 13 times higher than the standard level in 2012 and 2013.
This is not all. Anand Vihar also recorded high concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which stood at 305.50 mg/m3 as against the normal level of 80 mg/m3. Explaining the reason for the alarming pollution levels in Anand Vihar, experts said that heavy traffic in the area which witnesses scores of vehicles from Ghaziabad may be adding to the daily emissions. “Anand Vihar is always the top location when it comes to high air pollution levels mostly because it witnesses inter-state traffic. But, other areas like Civil lines and Mandir Marg also are not far behind in terms of air pollutants,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, head of clean air programme at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Meanwhile, reports on the levels of various pollutants on Diwali since 2010 paint a sorry and dangerous picture of the Capital city. levels of some pollutants, including sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), benzene and even ozone seem to be on the rise. Anand Vihar again tops in this with 305 mg/m3 NO2 as against the normal 80 mg/m3. Mandir Marg and Civil lines had 150.4 mg/m3 and 142.14 mg/m3 respectively.
The levels of PM 2.5 (smaller than 2.5 micrometres), which have serious health implications as these tend to get lodged in the lung and can even enter the bloodstream, have been seven to eight times higher than the standard level for several years.