The level of pollution after Deepawali night’s celebrations in Dehradun was higher than permissible levels this year too. However, due to various factors, it was less than the levels recorded during the previous year. While the level of particulate matter was higher than permissible limits, the level of some other pollutants was less.
Though there was some talk of ‘green crackers’ and eco-friendly Deepawali celebrations, there was little difference when it came to bursting fireworks in the provisional state capital. According to the data provided by the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) the various pollutants were well beyond the national ambient air quality standards.
The UEPPCB regional officer Amit Pokhriyal informed that the board has been getting the air quality monitoring done by a third party. Between October 21 and 27, the air quality was measured at Nehru Colony, near Doon Hospital, Raipur and Dhalwala, Rishikesh. The particulate matter -PM10 (10 micrometres or less) and PM 2.5 (2.5 micrometres or less), sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were measured as part of this monitoring. When it comes to PM 10, the levels measured in Nehru Colony were minimum 78 and maximum 166 while it was minimum 196 and maximum 385 near Doon Hospital, minimum 162 and maximum 249 in Raipur and minimum 142 and maximum 283 in Dhalwala. As per the national ambient air quality standards, the permissible concentration of PM 10 levels in ambient air in industrial, residential, rural and other areas is 100 (24 hours).
Similarly, the PM 2.5 levels measured in Nehru Colony area was minimum 31 and maximum 72 while it was minimum 92 and maximum 184 near Doon Hospital, minimum 77 and maximum 151 at Raipur and minimum 52 and maximum 152 at Dhalwala. As per the national ambient air quality standards the permissible concentration of PM 2.5 in industrial, residential, rural and other areas in 24 hours is 60.
When it comes to sulphur dioxide, the levels measured in Nehru Colony were minimum 20.2 and maximum 34.6 with minimum 25.3 and maximum 36.3 near Doon Hospital, minimum 20.9 and maximum 31 at Raipur and minimum 13.4 and maximum 29.4 at Dhalwala. According to the national ambient air quality standards, the permissible level of sulphur dioxide is 80.
As far as nitrogen dioxide is concerned, the levels measured in Nehru Colony were minimum 31.3 and maximum 46.1 with minimum 38.4 and maximum 64.5 near Doon Hospital, minimum 30.3 and maximum 47.4 at Raipur and minimum 21.6 and maximum 43.4 at Dhalwala. As per the national ambient air quality standards, the permissible level of nitrogen dioxide in the air in 24 hours is 80.
Pokhriyal further informed that it is not just the crackers but also vehicular exhaust, dust and other factors which contribute to air pollution. Regarding the less values of some pollutants measured this time, he said that this could be due to various factors including change in the location of stations where the measurements were carried out.
