Nagpur: The Ambient Air Quality of Nagpur City that indicates outdoor air pollution, crossed the poor mark once again on Thursday. With PM 2.5 level at 332, the city’s air quality failed to meet Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards for safe levels. The deteriorating air quality is putting people at additional risk of respiratory diseases and other health problems, reports said.
The only Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) of Nagpur, situated at posh Civil Lines area, recorded this ‘poor’ air quality level on Thursday. Nagpur city is observing such poor air quality for the last 4 days. On November 30, the air quality of the city was 305 which was observed at 11 pm. On November 29, the air quality was 257 and the air quality again crossed 300 mark on November 28 with PM 2.5 level 310.
On November 27, it was little better as the air quality was recorded 190 at 10 pm. As per the CPCB standards, above 201 level, it can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure. According to other Air Quality Monitoring websites, Nagpur city recorded the PM 2.5 level above 201 for more than 12 days in the month of November whereas the other days recorded moderate air quality.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had stated that it is a common phenomenon during winters but the sudden increase in pollutants is a matter of concern. According to a MPCB official, the pollutants settle in the low atmosphere due to which the air quality deteriorates. He also agreed that the pollution released by the Thermal Power Plants is also a matter of concern during winter. Nagpur city has four CAAQMS stations in which only one station which is situated in Civil Lines area is working. Remaining three are yet to start their work.
According to CPCB, the AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and between 401-500 ‘severe’. Normally, the heavy traffic causes air pollution, but the air quality of Nagpur was on higher side during late night hours also when the traffic movement remains nominal.
