Noida: Less than last year, but pollution level still higher than permissible
Notwithstanding a decrease in the pollution level this Diwali, compared to the last year, the PM-10 content in Noida’s air was much higher than the permissible limit due to bursting of crackers.
Notwithstanding a decrease in the pollution level this Diwali, compared to the last year, the PM-10 content in Noida’s air was much higher than the permissible limit due to bursting of crackers.
This was revealed in a report released by the Uttar Pradesh pollution control board (UPPCB), on Friday.
Respirable suspended particle (RSP), particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less, are known as PM10. On Diwali, the PM-10 level was 361.7 micrograms per cubic metre, 3.5 times higher that the permissible limit of 100 micrograms per cubic metre.
According to UPPCB, on a normal day, PM-10 level is recorded at 150-200 mµg/m3. PM-2.5 varies between 80 and 480 mµg/m3, against a permissible limit of 60 mµg/m3.
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, however, remained within permissible limits, the report stated.
Sulphur dioxide content was 18.7 mµg/m3 against the standard limit of 80 mµg/m3. Its presence in the air causes trouble to those suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Smog enveloped entire Noida, Greater Noida and some adjoining residential areas after Diwali, posing problems for those suffering from respiratory diseases.
“Heavy wind may be able to clear the smog. No doubt PM-10 level was higher than the permissible limit, causing pollution. But our assessment said the level has slightly decreased compared to 2014 Diwali, when it was recorded 365.6 mµg/ m3,” said Atulesh Yadav, regional officer of UPPCB, Gautam Budh Nagar.
“We get these average figures on the basis of a manual system as we are yet to get an automatic air ambient monitoring system for Noida. We took samples on the day of Diwali (November 11) from 6 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 10 pm and 10 pm to 6 am,” Yadav said.
However, as per the directions of the Central pollution control board (CPCB), pollution is to be measured on the day preceding Diwali, the day of Diwali and the day following Diwali to assess the actual pollution caused by the bursting of crackers. But UPPCB office in Noida provided the data only for the day of Diwali.
UPPCB said campaigns supporting eco-friendly Diwali are yielding results and the pollution level has been declining every year.
The UPPCB report said the noise level was recorded 71.8 decibel this Diwali, against 72.7 dB recorded in 2014. The standard limit is 75 dB.
Officials of the pollution watchdog said Noida’s residential areas recorded a noise level of 72.18 decibels in 2014. It was lower than the levels registered in 2013 and 2012 at 77.4 and 82.77 dB, respectively.