Haze calls for more scientific studiesy

Vivek Chattopadhyay, Programme Manager, Clean Air and Sustainable Mobility, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi

On February 7, Mumbai was engulfed by a haze, with the air quality index in the metropolis worsening to levels that it had not seen since Diwali in October 2017. Is Mumbai going the Delhi way?

LATITUDE

kThe Mumbai haze is blamed on stagnating winds and high moisture content in the air that trapped pollutants, similar to what happens in Delhi in winter. Mumbai has advantages over Delhi—ample sea breeze and rains. It also has a third of Delhi's total vehicular fleet. People in Mumbai use CNG for vehicles, domestic use and industries besides PM10 levels half of Delhi's. Despite all of this, among metros, it was only next to Delhi in terms of PM levels during 2013 to 2016. Mumbai calls for more scientific studies in assessing population exposure, source contribution and strengthening air quality monitoring. Delhi should not be Mumbai's benchmark as it can make regulators complacent by citing that Mumbai is still far better than Delhi."