As opposed to the notion of Diwali being a subdued affair this year, facts from the Pradesh Pollution Control Board reveal considerable deterioration of air quality levels, which stand as the “ugly truth” of human activities leading to environment degradation.
According to Ramesh Chandra, senior environmental scientist, APPCB, the city saw only a marginal increase in the noise levels, as compared to last year, but noticed an alarming increase of 133 per cent in the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), as against the Ambient Air Quality Standard, set at 100 per cubic metre (µg/m3),
Air pollution levels
A comparative study by APPCB on air pollution levels pre and post Diwali in the city showed an increase of almost 200 per cent in most of the localities. Though the National Ambient Air Quality Standard is set at 100 µg/m3, Diwali day witnessed an average of 233 µg/m3.
Going by the data provided by the APPCB, which regulated the Ambient Air Quality in the city, Abids recorded the worst air quality on Diwali night, with the RSPM values recorded at 311 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) against a set standard of 100 µg/m3, and an increase of 71 per cent against normal day values. However, on any day prior to Diwali, the RSPM values would hover around 125 in Abids.
Following the list after Abids are Panjagutta recorded 282 µg/m3, Paradise 200µg/m3, Balanagar 172 µg/m3, Uppal 232 µg/m3, Jubilee hills 240 µg/m3, Jeedimetla 138 µg/m3, Kukatpally 285 µg/m3. According to officials, the reason for an increase in the RSPM values on Diwali was due to bursting of crackers with high emission of particulate matter without noise, such as flower pots, sparklers etc.
Noise levels
APPCB also monitored the Ambient Air Noise levels during the festival,which revealed that Paradise and Uppal were the loudest on the festive night. The Pollution Control Board fixed the optimum noise levels at 45 decibels (dB) for residential localities, 55 dB for commercial areas, 40 db for silent zones and 70 dBs for industrial areas.
Commercial areas like Paradise, Panjagutta and Abids continued to be the loudest with a recorded noise of 99, 82 and 72 dB respectively, as set againt 55 dB. While the recorded noise levels at residential areas were 76 dB at Jubilee hills and 88 dB at Pragathinagar, as against 45 dB. Even the silence zone near Zoo park recorded a maximum of 61 dB against the set 40 dB. Ambient Air Noise levels stations set at industrial areas of Uppal and Jeedimetla saw a rise in noise levels to 99 and 62 respectively, as against the standard 70 dBs.