Delhi’s air quality has started deteriorating as National Air Quality Index has marked “hazardous” air quality on Tuesday. The national Capital, which has earned the tag of most polluted city in world, has again recorded “high pollutants levels” in its air.
Real time ambient air monitors of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) at Anand Vihar has traced the mass concentration of Particulate Matter (PM)-10 five times higher than its safer limit, which is 100µg/m3.
At US Embassy meters, PM (10) level was recorded three times higher than the prescribed standards set by the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). At Anand Vihar area PM 2.5 was 152 µg/m3. The prescribed standards of PM (10) and PM (2.5) are 100 µg/m3 and 60 µg/m3 respectively.
The situation in other areas, however, seemed relatively better according to the pollution index of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPB).
Experts have said constructions and emission from industries are responsible for escalating the mass constructions of particulate matters in city environment. Surprisingly, the green part of Delhi — RK Puram, levels of PMs were also measured three time higher than the safer limit.
SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), a unit of Ministry of Earth Science, also marked air quality “Moderate”, however, it was “Good” earlier.
The mass concentrations of both the pollutants showed extremely high levels in other areas of the city including Mandir Marg, Civil lines, Punjabi Bagh and IGI airport.
Noticeably, benzene, the cacogenic compound was also 1.5 µg/m3 high than its prescribed limit which is 05 µg/m3.
“Particle pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles,” said environmentalists.
“Vehicular emission play major role in the contribution of PM in air. Every day above 1,400 new cars run on Delhi roads. Both, State and the Centre have to act together to overcome the worse situation in the Capital,” the expert added.