TRANSPORT POLLUTION IN CITY DROPS TO SECOND LOWEST IN COUNTRY DURING LOCKDOWN

Across 12 cities in India, Mumbai recorded the second lowest average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels on Sunday and also the second lowest particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration on Monday. Sunday was the nationwide Janta Curfew which resulted in the lowest average level of transport pollution (NO2 pollution) ever recorded during March in India.

Restrictions continued on Monday. The analysis — India’s coronavirus curfew resulted in the lowest oneday traffic pollution levels on record — was published by air pollution research group Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) on Wednesday. Oxides of nitrogen are toxic gases that contribute to aerosol formation that can worsen respiratory conditions.

They are formed from the burning of coal, oil, and emissions from vehicles and off-road equipment. “NO2 is responsible for an estimated 350,000 new cases of child asthma and 16,000 premature deaths per year in India,” the study said.

Chennai recorded the lowest NO2 levels at 4.8 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) on Sunday and 5.2 µg/m3 on Monday, followed by Mumbai at 8.8 µg/m3 and 10.7 µg/m3 on Sunday and Monday against the safe limit of 80 µg/m3 for 24 hours. According to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the average NO2 levels in Mumbai range between 40-45 µg/m3 with all active sources.

“Mumbai witnessed a sharp dip in NO2 and PM2.5 on Sunday and Monday, which indicates the transport sector plays a critical role in worsening air quality along with industries and waste burning,” said Sunil Dahiya, analyst, CREA.

For PM2.5, Mumbai was the fourth least polluted at 22.7 µg/m3 on Sunday and the second least polluted on Monday at 22.3 µg/m3.