HYDERABAD: Owing to the bursting of firecrackers on a large scale during Deepavali, the air quality in the city deteriorated to dangerous levels in some areas on Thursday night. However, the air pollution levels decreased on Friday evening.
The Pollution Control Board termed the Air Quality Index as ‘moderate’ for PM2.5 and PM10 at 4 pm on Friday. As the air quality index was 135 and moderate, the possible health impacts on the people were breathing discomfort to the people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases.
However, the Accuweather report stated that the air has reached a high level of pollution and is unhealthy for sensitive groups. “Reduce time spent outside if you are feeling symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation,” it said.
The weather company explained that the high level of PM2.5 pollutants is considered poor-quality air. It said that fine particulate matter is inhalable pollutant particles with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, resulting in serious health implications. The most severe impacts are on the lungs and heart. “Exposure can result in coughing or difficulty breathing, aggravated asthma, and the development of chronic respiratory disease,” it added.
Similarly, the high level of PM10 also indicates poor quality of air. “It is the particulate matter which consists of inhalable pollutant particles with a diameter fewer than 10 micrometres.
The particles that are larger than 2.5 micrometres can be deposited in airways, resulting in health issues. Exposure can result in eye and throat irritation, coughing or difficulty breathing, and aggravated asthma. More frequent and excessive exposure can result in more serious health effects,” the report said.
The PM2.5 pollutants reached a peak between 9.30 pm and 10.30 pm in the city on Thursday and were recorded as 165. However, it decreased to 36 between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm on Friday from very unhealthy to unhealthy.
PM10 is very high from 7.30 pm on Thursday to 3.30 am on Friday and the index ranged between 160 and 180.
The particulate matter pollution of PM2.5 touched a high of 475 at one of the observatories at the US Consulate, 341 at Sananthnagar and 454 at Kapra on Thursday. The air quality also deteriorated at several other locations, including Patancheru, Bollaram and others.