Concentrations of secondary pollutants in Delhi air were observed to be on the rise on Wednesday. The level of toxic gases in the air has also shown an upward trend much above the prescribed limit by the Indian Metrological Department (IMD).
As per the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) Real Time Air Quality Pollution Index (AQPI), the concentration of toxic gases like benzene and nitrogen oxide was observed very high on Wednesday.
Besides the high concentrations of primary pollutants (particulate matter 10 and 2.5), concentration of nitrogen oxide in Civil lines area was 120.91 µg/m3 and that of benzene was 3.54 µg/m3. On the other hand, the same concentration was noted at 130.0 µg/m3 and 6.8 µg/m3 respectively in RK Puram area which is categorised as the “Green lung” area of the city. While the permissible limit of benzene is 5 µg/m3 in Capital’s air, the ecologists have raised concern over the growing concentrations of the carcinogenic gas.
Dr B SenGupta, former secretary member of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), said both industrial and vehicular emissions are pivotal contributor of carcinogenic gases in the environment. “In order to control the quantity of oxides of nitrogen and benzene in air, the foremost thing is to check the quality of petrol. Also, Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) should be installed in all the petrol filling stations in the city,” said Gupta, adding that higher exposure to benzene can cause cancer and oxides of nitrogen are responsible for respiratory diseases among those who are exposed to the polluted air.
As per the National Air Quality Indexes (NAQI) at 7 PM, the concentrations of benzene was 5 µg/m3 in Mandir Marg area while other gases or pollutants like sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrate, toluene and nitrogen oxide was measured at 164.5, 172.7, 15.9 and 130 (µg/m3) respectively in various locations of Delhi. (readings are derived from DPCC and CPCB real time air monitoring systems).
Meanwhile, the statistics of DPCC mobile pollution check van recorded reductions in mass concentrations of PM (2.5,10).
However, PM 2.5 recorded by DPCC in Rajinder Nagar area was at 713 µg/m3 which is 12 times higher than its prescribed standards. In other areas of the city like Greater Kailash , Tughlukabad , Kalakaji and Gandhi Nagar, levels of PM 2.5 were recorded at 242,426,410,281,251 µg/m3 respectively and levels of PM 10 were recorded at 362,924,629,883, 826 (µg/m3) respectively.