Rain clears air,Delhi hopes trick works for Games too

But while the authorities are counting on the post-monsoon period for the air to clear up before the Games,trends from previous years show this is usually a temporary phenomena. “While we will be making safeguards to clear the air,we are also confident that the post-monsoon period will lead to cleaner air during the Commonwealth Games,” Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta told Newsline.

But by October,the situation could deteriorate again. Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter — which enter the trachea as we breathe due to its small size — is one of the most harmful pollutants. While the standards for RSPM is 60 mg/m3,Delhi recorded RSPM levels between 200 and 240 mg/m3 in October 2007. Last October,it hovered near 200 mg/m3. This is because with the onset of winter,pollutants tend to settle more in the air.

“The one big relief will be that the constructions will be over by the time of the Games. That will mean there will be no haze over the city,” said a scientist from the Department of Environment.

Newsline had earlier reported how the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had directed civic agencies and construction agencies to take measures to control “fugitive dust” from Commonwealth Games sites,after the Central Pollution Control Board pointed out that RSPM had reached critical levels in April-May.

Generally,sporting venues are meant to be as pollution-free as possible for the benefit of athletes during international events.