Air quality in city deteriorating: Study

The Times of India , Monday, April 18, 2016
Correspondent : TNN
Thiruvananthapuram: For the first time, an authentic study report has come out indicating that air quality in the capital city is not satisfactory. As per the study conducted by state pollution control board (PCB) and National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), pollutants such as particulate matter is higher than the limit set by National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQ). The presence of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide too has been found to be above normal, while nitrogen dioxide falls within limits.

The study was carried out at four locations - Ayurveda College Junction, Plamoodu Junction, Sreekaryam and Killippalam. Surprisingly, particulate matter of size less than 10 micrometre was found to be 209.26 microgram per cubic metre (microgram/m3) at M G Road, while the NAAQ limit is 100 microgram/m3. Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles like dust dirt or smoke that cannot be seen with naked eye. Particulate matter of size less than 10 micrometre in diameter can get deep into lungs and even in bloodstream and cause serious health issues. Presence of particulate matter was double the permissible limit between 6am and 2 pm and it dropped to 48.9 microgram/m3 between 2 pm and 10pm at M G Road.

At the same time, particulate matter exceeded the limit during 6am-2pm at Plamoodu Junction (112.97) and Killippalam (183.63). It exceeded the limit during 2pm-10 pm time at Killippalam (180.82). It was within limits at Sreekaryam - 96.19 microgram/m3 during morning and 55.72 microgram/m3 in the afternoon.

M Dileep Kumar, environmental engineer with PCB said increase in number of vehicles, construction activities and burning of plastic could be reasons for increase in particulate matter. "We need to phase out old vehicles, one of the major contributors of air pollution. Construction activities should be restricted," he said.

Dr C Sudheendra Ghosh, former head of department of pulmonology medicine at Medical College Hospital said presence of increased particulate matter would aggravate asthma and bronchitis. "Continuous exposure to pollutants also causes cancer," he said.

Presence of carbon monoxide too was above limits in and around MG road. Against the NAAQ limit of 4 mg/m3, MG road recorded 5 between 9 am-10 am, 4.53 between 11 am-12 noon, 4.15 between 4 pm-5pm, 4.34 between 5 pm-6 pm, 6.07 between 6 pm-7pm, 5.60 between 7 pm-8 pm and 4.95 between 8pm-9pm. Carbon monoxide was within limits at the other three locations.

Ghosh said increased presence of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide would affect general health too as oxygen intake would be less. In addition to lung disease, it would make people more prone to infections such as pneumonia. He added that a study conducted by doctors with the support of Indian Council for Medical Research in 2009 has found that cases of respiratory illness were on the rise n the city as compared to other parts of the country. He suggested that burning of plastic waste must be avoided at any cost and other options should be explored to dispose of plastic.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Air-quality-in-city-deteriorating-Study/articleshow/51868766.cms
 


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