Lucknow inhaled up to 7 times the permissible limit of PM2.5
LUCKNOW: Did you have a tiring day without much physical work? If yes, then there’s a reason for it – Lucknowites inhaled up to seven times the permissible limit of PM2.5 – a nasty pollutant in the air– on Thursday.
PM2.5 refers to the atmospheric particulate matter, which has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers and is about 3% the diameter of a human hair.
“It can easily enter the body through the nose and stay inside to cause damage to the lungs and other organs,” said Prof Surya Kant, HoD, pulmonary medicine, KGMU. CPCB data shows that the maximum level of PM 2.5 was recorded during the early hours – the level was 465.24 at 5 am – the time when people prepare for morning walks.
As the day progressed, a fall in the level of pollution was noticed but still it was six to seven times higher than the permissible level. At 9 am, the level was 399.21. “This could be due to the fact that with sun coming up, the air became a bit dry hence pollutants in the air rose,” said PK Srivastava, former scientist with CDRI. People who commuted for the entire day felt the impact of smog. “I was feeling dizzy at lunch hour. I ate less as compared to Wednesday,” said Rashmi, a resident of Gomti Nagar who works in private sector. As smog enveloped Lucknow, showrooms kept air purifiers on the front display.
Sale of these products also went up with many people purchasing them for their homes and offices.
“People are basically asking if they can control harmful pollutants in their rooms with these equipments,” said a shopkeeper in Bhootnath Market.
MAXIMUM LEVEL OF PM 2.5 WAS RECORDED DURING THE EARLY HOURS – THE LEVEL WAS 465.24 AT 5 AM –THE TIME WHEN PEOPLE PREPARE FOR MORNING WALKS