City witnesses poor air quality on Tuesday

Staff Reporter

Air quality of Nagpur city that indicates outdoor (ambient) air pollution failed to meet Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards for safe levels on Tuesday. The deteriorating air quality is putting people at additional risk of respiratory diseases and other health problems.

The only Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) of the city, situated at Civil Lines area, recorded the PM 2.5 level 242 which is ‘poor’ as per the CPCB norms.

As per the CPCB standards, above 201 level, it can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.

In the month of May also the AQI of the city deteriorated upto 244. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had stated it a common phenomenon during winters but the sudden increase in pollutant is a matter of concern.

The air quality started deteriorating on Tuesday evening which continued till late night.

In the month of March, MPCB stated the poor air quality due to some technical glitch but this time it is due to winter chill. Nagpur city has four CAAQMS stations in which only one station which is situated in Civil Lines area is working. Remaining three are new and will start working soon.

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.

Ironically, the only one CAAQMS is situated in Civil Lines area where the pollution is at minimum level due to thick green cover and less traffic. If the air quality index in Civil Lines area is getting close to poor level, then the AQI will definitely exceed the poor mark in places like Medical Square, Automotive Square, Variety Square, Kamptee, Wadi and Shankar Nagar areas.