Pollution

Out of the 36 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, four – located at Mundka, Narela, Rohini and Mathura Road – recorded the air quality as ‘severe’ on Sunday. Gurugram and Ghaziabad also recorded ‘severe’ air pollution, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. At the four Delhi stations, the prominent pollutant was PM2.5. The tiny pollutants are generated mainly in the absence of strong winds, with soot and smoke being released from burning waste and vehicular emissions. The air quality in Delhi is likely to deteriorate over the next few days, according to the CPCB’S forecasting system and Safar, which comes under the Union ministry of earth sciences.

At 7pm on Sunday, the PM10 level in Delhi was recorded at 389.5 ug/m3, well past the safe standard of 100ug/m3. “PM10 and PM 2.5 levels are likely to shoot up further over the next three days. Pollutants are not getting dispersed and are getting trapping in the air because of the calm wind conditions,” said a senior CPCB official who did not wish to be named.

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, a Supreme Courtmandated body to monitor pollution levels in the NCR region, has announced that pollution levels will peak after November 1, as winds flow from the northwest, bringing pollutants from burning stubble in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana. Epca said that the phenomenon, coupled with the onset of winter and the festive rush, will lead to a spike in air pollution. The Supreme Court recently lifted a blanket ban on the sale and purchase of firecrackers, which could also add to pollution in the first week of November.

Doctors said more cases of respiratory problems were likely after Diwali. “We will see an increase of nearly 20 to 30% in such cases in our OPD after Diwali. The pollution caused by bursting crackers is worse than from crop burning, because it releases sulphur dioxide and heavy metals into the air,” said Dr Srikant Sharma, senior consulting physician at Moolchand Medcity.

Between November 1 and 9 last year, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category for a week, with AQI touching 486 on November 9. The toxic levels prompted authorities to declare a public health emergency. On a scale of 0 to 500, an AQI value between 301 and 400 indicates ‘very poor’ air quality. A value beyond 401 indicates ‘severe’ air quality.

Air pollution levels in the city have spiked despite the graded response action plan (Grap) being enforced beginning October 15. On Saturday, Epca announced a clutch of measures, including a complete ban on construction and excavation work across NCR between November 1 and 10, to curb pollution. The CPCB also issued an advisory, asking citizens to avoid engaging in strenuous activity and exercising outdoors for extended periods. It also urged residents to use public transport during this period.