Pune grapples with polluted air ; advisory issued to tackle pollution issue
Pune grapples with polluted air ; advisory issued to tackle pollution issue
Pune : Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels in the city are above the recommended limits, indicating worsening of the air pollution as per Central Pollution Control Board reports.
The areas of the city with the highest levels of air pollution were Shivajinagar, Bhosari, and Bhumkar Chowk on Sunday, when the quality of the air declined from moderate to poor.
SAFAR-IITM has issued an orange alert. At six o’clock at night, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 180, PM 2.5 was 91, and PM 10 was 146. In Bhosari, the PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels were 201 and 138, respectively; in Bhumkar Chowk, they were 301 and 170, and in Shivajinagar, they were 301 and 153.
Due to the current weather, which includes a partly cloudy sky, the city is covered in haze and smog. Amidst concerning air pollution levels, the state public health department advised all local organizations to organize public awareness campaigns and implement preventive measures.
It has been suggested that the health department run public awareness campaigns and counsel the population that is most at risk to prevent health problems brought on by poor air quality.
The advisory issued asks all local bodies to conduct mass awareness programmes & take preventive measures to avoid air pollution. Additionally, steps need to be taken to manage the illnesses brought on by air pollution.
Acute health reactions, including eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and acute upper respiratory infections, can be brought on by brief, high-level exposures.
Long-term exposure to even lower pollution levels can cause lung cancer as well as chronic illnesses of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
More serious consequences, such as lower respiratory tract infection and inflammation, bronchitis or asthma flare-ups, or worsening of long-term conditions like ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc., can affect vulnerable populations.
In such conditions it is advised to wear mask while being in such weather conditions mainly to people who are susceptible to infections and allergies.
Also, consulting a doctor in case of infections caused through smog can prove beneficial.
Avoid taking children, senior citizens and people prone to asthma or respiratory infections to such places.
Shreyas Vange
(Source – HT)
