Air, noise pollution levels less this Diwali, says MPCB

MUMBAI: The city seems to have kept its decibel and air pollutions low this year. Data released by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) shows that the concentration of the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) levels on Diwali day was about 175 ug/m3, lower than even the 2010 reading of 182.
Last year, the RSPM level was recorded to be 280 ug/m3.RSPM are particles which are 10 micrometers or less and can enter the body easily through breathing and cause serious respiratory problems or allergies.
Ideally, RSPM levels should be under 100 ug/m3. In 2009, Mumbai recorded the highest RSMP level of 414 ug/m3 during Diwali.
Even the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx) was considerably low at around 70 ug/m3 compared to 95 ug/m3 last year. This shows that people growing more aware of the harmful effect of crackers on humans as well as on the environment.
“It is encouraging to see that the RSPM levels have dropped. Even the nitrogen oxide levels have come down,” said S C Kollur, scientific officer, MPCB. An environment observer, however, expressed surprise that the levels had gone down. “It is surprising because people have been constantly complaining of high level of pollutants in the air even this Diwali,” said the environment activist.
The MPCB data also shows a less noisy Diwali with average decibel levels for November 3 and 4 ranging between 85dB to 87dB on an average. The highest recorded noise level was 97.6dB in Sewree. Though this is higher compared to the 88.9dB recorded in 2012, it is restricted only to an isolated pocket in the city.
Some noisy locations this year were Worli, Sewree, Mulund, Jogeshwari and Santa Cruz. Officials said that the noisy levels didn’t scale higher than the last two years. However, the prime concern is the fact that the decibel levels even after 10pm are comparable to those recorded during the day. Levels above 80dB were recorded from many locations. The highest level recorded in Sewree was also during the night.
“This is a major concern as it shows that people are not adhering to the 10pm deadline. The levels ought to drop after the deadline,” said Kollur. “While the levels are lower or stable compared to last year, they are still above the environmental rules,” he added.
Anti-noise activist Sumaira Abdulali said that the police will have to enforce the deadline and create awareness much ahead of the festival for people to follow.