Hindustan Times , Thursday, November 11, 2004

Correspondent : HT Correspondent

While Diwali is still two days away, the air pollution level in the city is already on the rise. The thick smog that envelopes the city in the morning is clear evidence of this condition.In spite of the no-cracker campaign in full swing, those with respiratory disorders would have a tough time post-Diwali. "The onset of winter results in pollution being built up. The weather conditions become such that nature loses its ability to ventilate. The air becomes heavy and tends to hang closer to the surface of the earth," said Anumita Roy of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).With almost no air circulation, pollutants get trapped and there is a heavy concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air. The pollution levels would naturally go up with the bursting of crackers, which would take almost four to five days to settle down. The lower the temperature level, the thicker would be the smog.A study conducted by a doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in 1999-2000, had been able to establish a direct link between the high levels of smog resulting in increased respiratory disorders."The study was supported by the number of patients admitted in the cardiac and respiratory disorders unit going up alarmingly during December and January," Roy said. The numbers came down by the end of January and February.Forty stations would be set up to monitor pollution levels in the Diwali season.

SOURCE : Hindustan Times, Thursday, November 11, 2004