THANE: A foul-smelling smog appears to have blanketed Thane as the air pollution index has doubled in the last five days during Diwali celebrations, according to data compiled by the civic air quality monitoring unit. The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM)—it is the measurement of air quality and should not exceed 100g/m3 mark—rose to 192g/m3 in the the last five days. On October 28, the RSPM level recorded in Thane was 90g/m3.
"The change in weather has already led to a rise in the number of illnesses such throat infection, asthma and bronchitis. The added pollution will make things worse," said Dr PranaliBhide, an ENT specialist.
However, the overall air quality level this Diwali was much better than last year—in 2015, the average RSPM level recorded was 294g/m3.
While civic officials claimed that the air quality was better this year due to their sustained anti-fireworks and anti-pollution drives, environmentalists said heavy showers had cleared away impurities in the air.
"This year, we carried out several cleanliness and awareness drives where we sensitized citizens about the ill effects of pollution," said a civic official. "Last Diwali, average pollution level was 294g/m3, almost three times the permissible limit. This year, RSPM levels reduced to 192g/m3. But it shot up to 264g/m3 during the four hours of Laxmi Puja on October 30."
Prasad Karnik, president of environmental NGO ParyavaranDakshataManch, said, "While there has been a slight drop in the number of firecrackers this year, the main reason for the reduced air pollution level is the fact that the heavy showers cleared a lot of impurities in the air. But Diwali festivities brought the pollution levels above the permissible limit again."
