Sudden deterioration in the air quality in Chennai now - Risk to kids and elders etc
Posted on: 29/Oct/2021 9:56:36 AM
This piece of information could make many Chennai residents worry now!!
The festival of deepavali is fast approaching and now Chennai’s Air Quality Index or AQI has deteriorated sharply to 120.
It is learnt that as per the National Air Monitoring Programme AQI between 101 and 200 is regarded as moderately polluted. This might lead to breathing issues to those with asthma, heart disease, kids and elder adults etc.
In Chennai city, there are 7 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations. On Thursday, data was analysed at different intervals of time and form that it was clear that Kodungaiyur was the most polluted with AQI of 202.
Various localities in Chennai such as Arumbakkam, Royapuram, Perungudi, Alandur, Manali and Velachery showed AQI of 127, 117,115, 113,100 and 64 respectively.
Truth is that the major pollutant was PM 2.5(particles with diameter less than 2.5micrometres and they remained suspended for a longer time. As against the permissible limits of 60microgms per cubic metre, Kodungaiyur had PM 2.5 levels of more than 300 micrograms per cubic metre.
Light drizzle and prevailing overcast conditions have been responsible for this sudden decrease in the air quality in Chennai now. These 2 factors have led to slowing down the dispersion rate of pollutants. This was according to a senior officer belonging to the TNPCB.
He later spoke about how due to the tunnelling effect all the particulate matter from the vehicles would remain suspended in the lower atmosphere due to still weather. Mostly, this would happen in Chennai during the Pongal season.
It was mentioned by Mr, N. Puviarasan, director Area Cyclone Warning Centre, RMC, Chennai that due to high humidity levels the pollutants get absorbed by the moisture present in the air. These pollutants would not disperse easily in the absence of wind and sunshine. This would lead to a dip in air quality.
