Smoky Diwali: Delhi doesn't give two hoots about environment, leaves air polluted

by Tarique Anwar  Oct 25, 2014 13:16 IST

New Delhi: Several anti-firecracker campaigns failed to make an impact in the national capital as Delhiites celebrated Diwali with little care for the environment. The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), which adversely impacts the heart, the brain and the respiratory system, has increased five times higher than the prescribed limit.
The results of ambient air quality monitoring done by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) at six locations - RK Puram, Mandir Marg, Punjabi Bagh, Civil Lines, Anand Vihar and IGI airport – suggest that 24-hour average concentration of PM10 (particulate matters less than 10 microns in size) ranged from 421 µg/m3 to 790 µg/m3 and PM2.5 (particulate matters less than 2.5 microns in size) ranged from 145 µg/m3 to 500 µg/m3.

Representational image. AFP

The prescribed standard of PM 10 is 100 mpcm and PM 2.5 is 60 mpcm.
While the minimum concentration of PM10 was observed at IGI Airport, its concentration was maximum at RK Puram. Similarly, the minimum average of PM2.5 concentration was observed at IGI Airport and maximum at Civil Lines.
"This concentration is in tandem with values observed in pre-Diwali in previous years," says the DPCC.
"The rise of these pollutants in the air can prove fatal for those who are suffering from lungs diseases like asthama and chronic bronchitis and heart and lungs disorders," Dr Gufran Beig, senior scientist at System of Air quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), told Firstpost.
"The residents of city will continue to breathe in the polluted air for the next two to three days as there is no wind to blow the smoke away," he added. Asked what impact it will have on the weather condition here, he said the temperature at night will witness a sharp decline.
While particles that are larger in size are filtered out in the upper layers of the respiratory track but quite larger part of PM10 particles can enter the lungs, he said. "It will cause troubles for lungs patients to breathe deeply and they may develop symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing," said Beig.
According to the DPCC, the level of gaseous pollutants like Sulphur Dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen ( NO, NO2 and NOx) and Carbon Monoxide also spiked.
Take a look at the detailed study:
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
The average concentration (for 24 hours) for CO ranged from 0.9 mg/m3 to 3.0 mg/m3. While the minimum average value was observed at IGI Airport, the maximum average value was recorded at RK Puram.
On last year’s Diwali day, the average concentration for CO ranged from 1.6mg/m3 to3.6 mg/m3.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
The average concentration of NO2 (for 24 hrs) varied from 39 µg/m3 to 194 µg/m3. The minimum average value was observed at Civil Lines and maximum average value at Punjabi Bagh.
Last year, the average concentration of NO2 (for 24 hrs) varied from 81 µg/m3 to 110 µg/m3.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
On the eve of Diwali this year, the average concentration of SO2 varied from 8 µg/m3 to 87µg/m3. The minimum average was observed at Anand Vihar and maximum at Punjabi Bagh.
This concentration varied from 35µg/m3 to 106 µg/m3 last Diwali.
“These harmful compounds released in the air can also cause numerous respiratory ailments. It can also cause symptoms like eye burns, running nose and skin and skin rashes,” Beig said.