PM2.5 level also up in Lucknow’s air
The level of PM2.5, the atmospheric particulate matter that has a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, too has gone up in Lucknow’s air.
All the residential areas have registered a rise in PM2.5 level and among commercial areas only Alambagh has registered a fall. But all areas are above the standard prescribed maximum limits.
In residential areas -- Aliganj, Vikas Nagar, Indira Nagar and Gomti Nagar, the 24-hour average concentrations of PM2.5 were in the range of 93.4 to 124.1 microgram/cubic meter with an average of 107.5 microgram/ cubic meter.
In commercial areas -- Charbagh, Alambagh, Aminabad and Chowk the average concentrations of PM2.5 were in the range of 98.5 to 127.5 microgram/cubic meter with an average of 114.5.
In industrial area Amausi, the average concentration of PM2.5 was 106.3 microgram/ cubic meter.
The maximum 24-hour mean concentration of PM2.5 was observed in Indira Nagar - 124.1 microgram/cubic meter (residential areas) while in Chowk it was 127.5 microgram/cubic meter among (commercial areas).
All the values of PM2.5 were above the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 60 microgram/ cubic meter for industrial, residential, rural and other areas.
PM2.5 is atmospheric particulate matter that has a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Particles in this category are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope.
They are even smaller than their counterparts PM10, which are particles that are 10 micrometres or less. Since they are so small and light, fine particles tend to stay longer in the air than heavier particles.
This increases the chances of humans and animals inhaling them into the bodies.