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New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Two days after Diwali, the air in Delhi and its neighboring cities turned dangerously toxic, with the air quality index (AQI) in the national capital recorded at 353, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
According to the latest Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin issued at 4 pm on Wednesday (October 22), Delhi’s air was filled with PM2.5 particles – the most harmful pollutant to human lungs.
The situation in satellite towns was even more worrying.
Severe pollution was recorded in Dharuhera (379), Rohtak (349), Noida (330), Bhiwani (331), Narnaul (332), and Ghaziabad (321), making the National Capital Region (NCR) one of the most polluted regions in the country.
Greater Noida (308), Ambala (312), and Yamunanagar (320) lagged far behind.
Experts believe that the massive use of firecrackers on Diwali night along with stagnant weather conditions and increase in vehicular emissions have led to the sudden deterioration in the situation.
The Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) has called for immediate implementation of GRAP Phase-III measures, which include ban on construction, waste burning and closure of polluting industries.
Among other polluted areas, Amritsar (238), Ludhiana (278), Jaipur (247), and Kanpur (253) also saw AQI levels in the ‘poor’ category, indicating widespread post-festival pollution across North India.
The cleanest air was recorded in Shillong (11), Puducherry (19), Madurai (25), and Coimbatore (33) – all in the ‘good’ category.
Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to current levels could cause respiratory illness even in healthy individuals.
PM2.5 levels are dangerously high – it’s like smoking several cigarettes a day, many medical experts have warned.
With winter approaching and stubble burning at its peak, environmentalists fear the worst is yet to come.
Health experts have warned that if this trend continues, Delhi-NCR could enter the ‘severe’ category within a few days.
–IANS
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