Particulate matters in air quality and noise level in residential and commercial areas in Chennai this Diwali were higher than the limit prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
A study by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board said particulate matters in air quality in residential areas of Triplicane, Besant Nagar, Nungambakkam and Sowcarpet and commercial places like Thiagaraya Nagar on October 29 ranged from 102 to 178 micrograms, higher than CPCB's prescribed limit of 100 micrograms to measure Ambient Air Quality. However, the presence of gaseous pollutants and nitrogen dioxide in these areas ranged between nine and 19 micrograms, well within the prescribed standard of 80 micrograms, it said.
The noise level that day that moved between 72 db (decibels) and 88 db was much higher than the prescribed maximum limit of 55-65 db, it said.
The release also clarified that the air quality survey results of 2016 were found to be lesser than 2014. The results for 2015 could not be compared due to heavy rains last year, it said.