Lockdown lets Lucknow breathe easy, sleep in peace
LUCKNOW :The lockdown helped the state capital clear the air, quite literally.
The city experienced clean air and quiet nights during this period due to a sharp reduction in vehicular movement, according to the annual pre-monsoon survey by the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR). The findings were released on Thursday on the eve of the World Environment Day which is observed every year on June 5.
The PM (particulate matter) 2.5 levels in residential areas dropped by 50% on an average, the study said. A similar drop was also observed in commercial areas, according to the study. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant that is a concern for people’s health when levels in the air are high. These tiny particles in the air reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when the levels are elevated.
Indira Nagar recorded the cleanest air among residential areas as the PM2.5 level fell from over 80 (pre-lockdown) to 40 during the lockdown, the same study said.
In Gomti Nagar, the PM 2.5 level fell almost by half to below 50 during the lockdown. Aliganj and Vikas Nagar also recorded a dip in the PM2.5 level, which leads to better air quality.
The situation in commercial areas was similar. The PM2.5 level in Charbagh dropped to near 40 in during the lockdown from about 100 during the corresponding month last year.
The air quality also improved in Alambagh and Amausi as per the report.
“All residential areas of Lucknow were found to have improved air quality, with low
level of particulate pollution. The PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration in residential areas, including Gomti Nagar, Charbagh, Indira Nagar, Vikas Nagar and Aliganj were found to be close to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard(NAAQS),” said IITR director Alok Dhawan, quoting the report.
Reduction in vehicular movement led to an improvement in air quality, Dhawan added. The average PM 2.5 level in residential areas was recorded around 63.2 while the NAAQS standard stands at around 60. The situation was similar in terms of PM 10 levels. The World Health Organisation (WHO) standard for PM2.5 and PM10 concentration is 25 and 50 respectively.
The human respiratory system is the first victim of high rates of particulate pollution that later manifests as a series of other ailments.
A recent WHO study showed that around 97% cities in developing countries with more than one lakh inhabitants each do not meet the set parameters of pollution and bear the brunt.
The same can be avoided easily when the air is clean.
“As air quality improves, the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic and acute respiratory diseases including asthma, decrease for the people who live in those cities,” the report said.
According to experts, the particulate pollution affects the respiratory system. PM2.5 particulate pollution is more dangerous as it affects the alveolar level, experts say. Alveoli are an important part of the respiratory system whose function it is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules to and from the bloodstream. These tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs sit at the very end of the respiratory tree and are arranged in clusters throughout the lungs.
The IITR study headed by DC Barman included Alambagh, Chowk, Amausi and Aminabad areas. The study also examined the levels of gaseous pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitreous gases. Owing to the absence of heavy industrialised zones in nearby areas, the average gaseous pollution was found to be lower than the national standard. Experts also recorded noise pollution in the city. According to the report, the noise level in both residential and commercial areas was recorded close to the national standard. With the sound level below 55 dB (decibel), Gomti Nagar was found to be the quietest place among residential areas followed by Vikasnagar with 58.6 dB and Indiranagar 60.2 dB.