The nation’s air is fifth most polluted on this planet, as per a current survey, however there may be excellent news for Tamil Nadu and Chennai, particularly. The capital metropolis is the least polluted among the many six metropolitan cities with the least focus of PM2. 5 (particulate matter of the scale 2. 5microns per cubic metre of air). Additionally, seven extra TN cities and villages studied, have higher air than the opposite states.

As per the 2021 World Air High quality report by IQAir, a Swiss organisation, Chennai has fared higher by way of air high quality index and has proven enchancment since 2017 when it recorded a focus of 39. 8 of PM2. 5. In 2021, it stood at 25. 2. The WHO tips say it ought to be 5, so town is 5 instances greater than the best mark.

The report has studied the PM2. 5 concentrations in micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). The TN cities studied embrace Coimbatore, Ariyalur, Karur and 5 areas in Chennai resembling Vandalur, Chinnasekkadu, Kottivakkam and Chetpet. The info was collected from the monitoring stations of the central air pollution management board, Tamil Nadu air pollution management board and personal stations.

Whereas the air could have cleared up, activists and air pollution consultants really feel the report ought to be put in context. Gufran Beig, founder and challenge director of SAFAR, a challenge below the Union ministry of earth sciences, mentioned, Chennai and Mumbai have the benefit of being coastal cities and the winds assist in decreasing the suspended particulate matter. “Tamil Nadu has completed effectively and if we take a look at India’s ambient air high quality requirements that prescribe 40 microns per cubic metre as the rule of thumb, it may be thought-about greatest. However, we shouldn’t simply take into account the yearly averages. On some days, the PM2. 5 focus is above 150 within the metropolis. It falls to twenty on windy days and that helps common the annual information.

The ocean breeze helps town regulate the ambient air high quality. The state ought to give attention to decongesting its roads and dealing on methods to cut back air pollution from autos that add 40% to the emissions, else the impression will likely be harmful,” he mentioned. He added that in TN use of bio-fuels in villages and slums is a explanation for concern and ought to be addressed.

Breaking down the information monthwise, it was discovered that Tamil Nadu cities had been most pol- luted throughout December-February interval when the PM2. 5 focus was above 30 and least polluted between July and September when the PM2. 5 concentrations fell under 25. S M Shiva Nagendra, professor from division of civil engineering in IIT-Madras mentioned, good rainfall over the previous three years has helped town in sustaining its air high quality index. “Seasonal adjustments have an effect on air high quality. Throughout winter, air turns into dense and holds the particulate matter longer than throughout summer season. This results in pollution being suspended within the air for a very long time. That's harmful for town and ought to be addressed,” he mentioned.
Consultants additionally known as for extra monitoring stations for higher air high quality forecasting and early warning system throughout the state. In its enlargement plan the Tamil Nadu Air pollution Management Board (TNPCB) has been specializing in your entire state. TNPCB began manually monitored air high quality at eight places within the state in 1998. In 2016, 4 real-time monitoring stations had been arrange. In 2020, it added 30 extra, one in all them in Chennai. Along with this, 154 steady ambient air high quality stations are put in by varied industrial models within the state. Work on an built-in environmental monitoring studio can also be in course of, mentioned a TNPCB official.

Elaborating on the efforts of TNPCB in enhancing Chennai air high quality Supriya Sahu, principal secretary, state setting division mentioned measures and enforcements on industries and transport sector since 2010 have helped them obtain this. “Based mostly on the supply apportionment research carried out by IIT Madras as early as 2010, the key sources of PM2. 5 in Chennai had been recognized as cars, mud from poorly paved roads, industries utilizing strong fuels like coal, operation of DG units inside metropolis space, building and demolition actions and open burning of municipal strong waste. All the key industries situated round Chennai, particularly Manali had been directed to change over to cleaner gas from coal and biomass, and all the key industries are utilizing both gasoline or liquid gas. This has drastically decreased the contribution of PM2. 5 by the industries.
Provide of improved high quality of gas to cars by decreasing the sulphur content material from the extent round 1,000ppm to 10ppm by way of CPCL has additionally decreased the emission for sulphur particles from the autos. ” she mentioned.

She added that each one new building initiatives are issued consent with a situation that each one sufficient measures shall be taken by them throughout the building part to keep away from mud emission.
L Venkatachalam, professor from Madras Institute of Improvement Research mentioned Covid lockdowns stored site visitors off roads and plenty of industries shut. “The division ought to give attention to smaller industrial air pollution as norms for larger ones have been framed and enforced. ”

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