Hadapsar, Shivajinagar areas had maximum firecracker pollution

While Lakshmipujan was the day of Diwali when maximum air pollution was recorded in the city, the air over Hadapsar area was the most polluted due to bursting of firecrackers. The second most polluted was Shivajinagar.

The researchers of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), with the help of its System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), for the first time, recorded the pollution levels in various parts of the city during Diwali.

The researchers found that though the levels of hazardous gases emitted from bursting of firecrackers was within the permissible limit. However, the particulate matters (PM), which are not visible to naked eyes but can cause damage to respiratory system, has witnessed significant increase in almost all areas of the city.

The IITM researchers recorded the air pollution level on November 2 (Narak Chaturdashi), November 3 (Lakshmi Pujan) and November 4 (Diwali Padwa) and found that Lakshmipujan was the day which witnessed maximum air pollution.

IITM launched its SAFAR project in May 2013 and according to the researchers from IITM, this was for the first time SAFAR was undertaking the test of measuring air pollution level during Diwali which creates extreme pollution due to bursting of firecrackers.

Gufran Baig, program director of SAFAR told dna, “With the earlier background of air quality in these respective areas, we have witnessed 50 to 150 per cent increase in air pollution level due to bursting of firecrackers. The highest air pollution level has been witnessed in Hadapsar and Shivajinagar while least increase of air pollution has been witnessed in Manjari, Nigdi and Pashan areas.”

The researchers have witnessed an increase in the level of particulate matters, known as PM 10 and PM 2.5, which can cause health hazards. Speaking about the observations, Neha Parkhi, project coordinator of SAFAR said, “We observed that the gases emitted from bursting of firecrackers such as Oxide of Nitrogen were below permissible limit, but PM 2.5 and PM 10 were above permissible limit in almost all parts of the city.”

The permissible limit of PM 10 is 100 microgram per meter cube (ug/m3) but in Hadapsar the level was 186.54 ug/m3 on November 2 and on the day of Lakshmipujan on November 3, the level was 262.20 ug/m3 and on November 4 it was 208.94 ug/m3.
The least rise of PM 10 was witnessed in Nigdi with 91.17 ug/m3 on November 2, 105 ug/m3 on November 3 and 79.87 ug/m3 was recorded in Nigdi area.

Speaking about the effect of increase of PM level, Baig said, “Any person, who is weak and has a history of respiratory problems, can be affected due to PM 10 and PM 2.5. Senior citizens and children staying in affected areas should take extra precautions when PM level is high.”

Level of PM 10

November 2
Pashan (109) Alandi (116.57) Lohegaon (101.77) Bhosari (116.46) Katraj (132.64) Hadapsar (186.54) Shivajinagar (146.95) Nigdi (91.17) and Manjri (115.26)

November 3
Pashan (145) Alandi (174.84) Lohegaon (168.35) Bhosari (163) Katraj (147) Hadapsar (262.20) Shivajinagar (253) Nigdi (105) and Manjri (152)

November 4
Pashan (120) Alandi (121.07) Lohegaon (117.23) Bhosari (117.34) Katraj (107.01) Hadapsar (208.94) Shivajinagar (157.17) Nigdi (79.87) and Manjri (98)