Strong dusty winds have deteriorated air quality in South Delhi district's Sangam Vihar area. While in April months when average concentration of pollutants are measured low in the national Capital, the air quality in south Delhi has different narrative with 332 micro gram per cubic metre concentration of PM10.
It may be noted that according to Environment Protection Agency (EPA) website, 24-hours, PM-10 air quality categories 16.4 level is considered very good, 32.9 level is Good, 49.9 level is Fair, 74.9 level is Poor, 75 or Greater is considered Very Poor. “Whereas Sangam Vihar 332 level is “hazardous & dangerous” for humans, said Vijay Jolly the former Delhi MlA.
Incidentally, the air quality test was conducted by pollution watch institution - Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after Jolly met the officials for a survey of the area and to measure the level of air pollutants in Sangam Vihar.
“The first air pollution test has reported that levels of PM 10 was abnormally high against the permissible limit of pollutant which is 100 µgm-3”, Jolly said adding that the perennially deteriorating air quality is causing serious health implications to the poor people of Sangam Vihar..
Further, the laboratory test analysis report No. A-21016/1/11-Mon./462 dated April 10, 2018 of Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MOEF) found 332 level of PM10 value, “ This is much more than the stipulated standard parameters of PM10 value of 100 level in Sangam Vihar area ,” Jolly said.
Air quality test was conducted by a four member scientist team of CPCB consisting of S.B. lohat, Subhash Chand, Surendra Prasad and Pratap Singh. They conducted air quality test at F-2 block - Ratia Marg - Sangam Vihar from 26th to 27th March, 2018. Respirable Dust Sampler - Envirotech APM 460DXNl ws use to measure the air polluatnts.
“As per the outcome report - “Air quality of Sangam Vihar is dangerous and PM-10 small particles are hazardous to health. Symptoms such as irritation in the easy and throat infection are common. People with existing diseases of heart, lung including asthma experience heaviness in the chest ,” said the ex- MlA.
Delhi government should sprinkle tanker water on Sangam Vihar streets. And undertake “Clean & Green Sangam Vihar Campaign” to check air pollution in this south Delhi poor people colony demanded,” he added.