Puducherry records ‘poor’ air quality after Deepavali

The ambient air quality in Puducherry took a beating this Deepavali with a significant increase in particulate matter PM (10) and PM (2.5) due to the bursting of crackers, with the city witnessing a spike in pollution that was above the prescribed limit, and much higher when compared to levels on a normal day.

According to a press release, the ambient air quality monitored by the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) at Jawahar Nagar in the city found PM (10) and P (2.5) levels to be on the higher side.

The readings were compared with the day before Deepavali. The city level average calculated for PM 10 and PM 2.5 was 133 ug/m3 and 120 ug/m3 respectively. However, the concentration of SO2 and NO2 were within the prescribed limits.

Noise level

The ambient noise level was measured at Muthialpet and Mudaliarpet in Puducherry. The measured noise level had increased in both the areas..

The PPCC attributed increase in noise level to bursting of crackers, heavy movement of vehicles, and other anthropogenic activities (increasing concentration of atmospheric pollutants). The outcome of the report reveals that concentration of pollutants was found to be on the higher side.

According to an official, “The air quality in Puducherry was found to be poor. The air quality reached the peak value as of 8 p.m. The concentration of particulate matter was three times higher when compared to a normal day. But the levels had come down significantly when compared to the previous year.”