Air quality in Hyderabad found good in Nov.: CPCB
Hyderabad City has finally started breathing better. Proof of it lies in data released by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which reveals that air quality in three major southern cities — Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai — this November has been comparatively better than November last year. As per this data, the average concentration of PM2.5 in Hyderabad has reduced by
17.88 per cent.
The city’s average PM2.5 concentration of this November was 56.32μg/m3 as compared to 68.58μg/m3 during the same period last month. Air quality monitoring stations in Sanathnagar and Zoo Park recorded the highest average PM2.5 of 62μg/m3.
In the whole month, the city witnessed a single day, where the city’s air quality matched the PM2.5 standards prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO).
However, according to an online tool developed by IQAir AirVisual and Greenpeace Southeast Asia, air pollution from PM2.5 and NO2 have been responsible for 7,577, 6,228, and 6,374 premature deaths respectively in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai from January 1 to September 4 this year.
Avinash Chanchal, climate campaigner at Greenpeace India said: “Apart from industries, vehicular pollution continues to be a major source of pollution in these cities. Expansion of the city area and population, along with growth in economic activities in peri-urban areas, has resulted in high vehicle ownership rates. Coronavirus pandemic has given us an opportunity to introspect. It is high time the governments and local authorities adopt systemic reforms on clean energy and transport that includes promotion of decentralised model of renewable energy.”
PM 2.5 causes serious health risks, like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, apart from lung cancer.
Exposure to air pollution increases our vulnerability to viral respiratory infections, both in terms of transmission and severity of infection. With conditions of Covid-19 epidemic prevailing, current evidence indicates that chronic exposure to air pollutants is associated with more severe infections and higher mortality.
There are studies that underscore the importance of continuing to enforce existing air pollution regulations for protecting human health both during and after the pandemic crisis.