Aliganj most polluted residential area, Charbagh commercial: CSIR-IITR report

Lucknow: Aliganj has emerged as the most polluted residential locality in the city, recording PM2.5 levels of 73.8 micrograms per cubic metre during the pre-monsoon months of April and May, according to an air quality assessment by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR).The report was released on the eve of World Environment Day on Thursday.Health experts said the exposure level is comparable to smoking 3-4 cigarettes a day. The National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) sets the permissible PM2.5 limit at 60 micrograms per cubic metre.“Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, calculated that exposure to 480 micrograms of PM2.5 over 24 hours equals smoking 22 cigarettes. Using the same formula, Aliganj’s PM2.5 level of 73.8 micrograms is equivalent to smoking 3-4 cigarettes a day,” said Dr Ved Prakash, professor and head of the department of pulmonary and critical care medicine at King George’s Medical University (KGMU).Among commercial areas, Charbagh recorded the highest pollution levels, the assessment found.The study, conducted across residential, commercial and industrial zones, reported that both PM10 and PM2.5 exceeded permissible limits at all nine monitoring locations, indicating continued environmental stress despite ongoing interventions.In residential areas, Aliganj also recorded the highest PM10 concentration at 152 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Indiranagar (140.8), Vikasnagar (121.8) and Gomtinagar (116.6). In commercial areas, Charbagh topped the list with 153.1 micrograms, followed by Aminabad (150.8), Chowk (134) and Alambagh (128.7).Overall, Lucknow’s average PM10 level was around 149 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly 1.5 times the national standard of 100 micrograms, while average PM2.5 stood at 78.9 micrograms, above the 60-microgram limit.The report noted moderate year-on-year improvement, with PM10 declining by 6.6% and PM2.5 by 17.5%. Researchers attributed the change to rainfall, increased use of electric vehicles, rising metro ridership and mechanised road sweeping.The assessment also cited measures such as expanded CNG and electric public transport, dust suppression and the ‘Zero Fresh Waste Dump’ initiative as contributing factors, while stressing the need for continuous monitoring, stronger public awareness and sustained pollution-control efforts.Gaseous pollutants within safe limitsSulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were within prescribed national limits across all zones, indicating relatively controlled emissions from industrial and fuel sources.Health risks remain significantThe report warns that prolonged exposure to particulate matter can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as PM2.5 particles penetrate deep into the lungs. Noise pollution is linked to stress, sleep disturbances, hearing loss and hypertension.Harmful effects of PM2.5Head of the department of respiratory medicine at RMLIMS, Dr Ajay Kumar Verma, said that PM2.5 consists of microscopic particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Unlike larger pollutants, it affects not just the respiratory system but also the heart, brain and other vital organs.He added that exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and can lead to premature death. Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing illnesses are particularly vulnerable.Dr Verma noted that PM2.5 is largely generated by vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and the burning of fossil fuels and biomass. Reducing its levels, he said, remains one of the most effective ways to improve air quality and protect public health.“PM2.5 is the strongest indicator of the health impact of air pollution,” he said.