Air quality dips after rain, will worsen with the chill

HYDERABAD: Post-monsoon, air quality in most parts of the city has come down but experts say the worst is yet to come. As per Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) data, air quality is showing signs of deterioration and officials said the situation could worsen in the winter. Air Quality Index values in areas like Balanagar, Jubilee Hills, Charminar, Paradise and Jeedimetla showed signs of deterioration in September compared with previous months.
Pollutants such as PM10 and PM2.5, the particulate matter which are tiny particles and can penetrate lungs and enter the bloodstream, was recorded more than prescribed standards in many areas. For instance, the PM 10 levels at Balanagar were recorded at 85 ug/m3 in July. But the same shot up to 101 ug/m3 in August and 134ug/m3 in September against the prescribed standard of 100 ug/m3.

PCB officials said: “Pollution levels dip during monsoon as most pollutants get washed away in rains. The gradual worsening is due to temperature inversion during winter”.
Medical experts say rise in PM10 levels cause health problems. “People with asthma and heart diseases are more susceptible to dust pollution. It may aggravate existing heart and lung diseases and damage lung tissue as well as air way irritation,” said V V Ramana Prasad, senior consultant pulmonologist at KIMS Hospital.
Environmental experts, too, said pollution levels would worsen with onset of winter. “This happens in mornings when there is fall in minimum temperatures. It leaves pollutants trapped close to the surface, leading to smog cover,” said N Raveender, former environmental scientist at TSPCB.