Jamshedpur, Nov. 8: With the national capital already under smoky haze, a survey of Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board ( JSPCB) has also revealed that the ambient air quality in the city has witnessed a fall. The toxic haze that has forced Delhi into lockdown could soon be worry for the steel city too.
“Most of the factors behind the haze in Delhi and Kolkata, especially the deadly ultrafine particulates that contribute to smog or haze when meteorological conditions are met can also be the same here,� noted a air pollution expert.
Delhi has a smoky haze, which is produced under extremely low humidity combined with a high volume of smoke and dust. Dust from agriculture fires, Diwali firecrackers and various other sources reduce visibility, apart from being extremely polluting.
The survey conducted last month by the Adityapur-based regional office of JSPCB shows a marginal fall in the city’s ambient air quality, due to smoke-belching vehicles and general negligence towards the environment.
According to the survey, which is being carried out on a monthly basis, the respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) has gone way beyond the 100 microgram per cubic metre (�g/m3) mark, prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in Bistupur and Golmuri .
It was also found much above the permissible limit at Adityapur, an industry hub in adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district. Respirable dust samplers were used to measure the pollution level in the three places.
Officials informed that the RSPM level near Regal Building in Bistupur was found to be 158 microgram per cubic metre (�g/m3) against the permissible limit of 100�g/m3 as prescribed by CPCB.
Ambient air in Adityapur and Golmuri were found to be more polluted with RSPM level hovering at 175�g/m3 and 160�g/m3 mark, respectively. The RSPM level at Sakchi, a commercial hub was found to be 140�g/m3, much above the prescribed limit.
The ambient air wasn’t contaminated in places like Telco, Sonari and Kadma, where the level of pollutants was found to be at the borderline.
The RSPM levels in Telco, Sonari and Kadma were found to be in the range of 90-110�g/m3.
For, the levels of two other major air pollutants– sulphur and nitrogen dioxides were also found to be higher than their permissible limits.
The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) level in ambient air in Bistupur, Golmuri and Sakchi were found to be 48.25 �g/m3 , 47.45 �g/m3 and 46.21 �g/m3, respectively.
The CPCB prescribed cap for NO2 is 40 �g/m3 . Similarly, sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels in Bistupur, Golmuri and Sakchi were 37.45 �g/m3 , 36.45 �g/m3 and 36.41 �g/m3, while the prescribed limit is 35 �g/m3.
“According to our study the unburnt carbon in diesel vehicles raises the level of RSPM and other pollutants. Proper emission checks are the need of the hour,” he said. The findings of the survey will be sent to CPCB through their Ranchi-based headquarters.