Diwali brings air pollution scare in Indore

The official data of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board indicates that air pollution increases three to four times on Diwali day of what is recorded on normal days.

Indore, which is known for high air pollution, is likely to witness further high on Diwali day because of pollutants emitting from lighting of crackers. Official data of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPCCB) indicate that air pollution increases three to four times on Diwali day of what is recorded on normal days.

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As such, the level of main air pollutants like respirable suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide remains above normal in the city on most days of year. Their volume will increase further on festival day.

According to Board officials, public awareness drive launched by MPPCB has helped to curb noise pollution in the sense that crackers producing sound of 65 decibels or more have been banned after 10 pm. "But we couldn't do much to curb air pollution on festival and non-festival days," a MPPCB official said wishing anonymity.

Board record shows that emission of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) remains 100 to 400 times more against the tolerable limit on Diwali day. One solution to curb RSPM level is that people use crackers which burst not on ground but up and high in air. But not all people can afford them as they are three to 10 times costlier than common crackers which are readily available in market.