Chandigarh: Air pollution on Diwali comes down, RSPM level almost half of last year

The RSPM level recorded this time on October 19 in Sector 22 was 169 microgram per cubic metre (though little more than the permissible limit of 100 microgram per cubic metre) which was as high as 316 microgram per cubic metre on October 30, 2016 (previous Diwali). The level of oxides of nitrogen recorded here was 29 microgram per cubic metre this time as compared to 38 microgram per cubic metre last year.

Similarly, in Sector 29, the RSPM level recorded was 172 microgram per cubic metre which was as high as 330 microgram per cubic metre on previous Diwali day. Here too, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) dropped from 42 microgram per cubic metre last year to 32 microgram per cubic metre this year.

In Sector 17 commercial area, the RSPM level, which was 225 microgram per cubic metre last year on Diwali, was only 97 microgram per cubic metre on Thursday. The oxides of nitrogen here again recorded a dip from 30 microgram per cubic metre last year to 28 microgram per cubic metre this Diwali.

Levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) could not be detected but oxides of nitrogen (NOx) at all the locations were within the permissible limit, that is, 80 microgram per cubic metre. P J S Dadhwal, member secretary of CPCC, said that the High Court order was one of the major reasons for the dip in the air pollution. “Also, our regular campaigns and appeals making people aware of the ill-effects of the crackers did help,” Dhadwal said.

Air pollution increased in Panchkula

Air pollution in Panchkula dropped by 30.36 per cent after 7 pm on Diwali as compared to last year. However, air pollution kept increasing from 9 pm till 1 am though less than last year. According to the details, the particulate matter recorded at 9 pm on Thursday was 109.16 microgram per cubic metre which was 116.10 microgram per cubic metre last year. At 10 pm, it was 133.61 microgram per cubic metre which was 296.30 microgram per cubic metre last year while at 11 pm it was 151.70 as compared to 302.12 microgram per cubic metre last year.

At 12 midnight, the level rose to 156.84 microgram per cubic metre and the highest at 214.31 microgram per cubic metre at 1 am. Only after that the level started coming down.