GURUGRAM: Decline in wind speed and temperature led to a rise in PM 2.5 levels by 16% on Thursday as compared to that on Wednesday.
While the highest level of PM2.5 on Thursday was recorded at 229.61 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m³), it was 197.89g/m³ on Wednesday. The air quality index (AQI), however, went down slightly from 354 on Wednesday to 325 on Thursday.
"The wind speed went down to 0.82 metre per second on Thursday from 0.97 metre per second on Wednesday. The average minimum temperature also fell from 32 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. All this have led to a slight increase in the level of PM2.5. However, if we compare it with other cities of NCR, the PM2.5 level in Gurgaon is the minimum," said an official of HSPCB.
Experts, on the other hand, called for an immediate ban on waste burning and stubble burning. "The smoke rising from crop residue burning in various parts of Punjab and Haryana is increasing the PM2.5 level. Besides, the waste burning activities go unchecked in the city," said Dr. Debjani Ghosh, an environmental engineer.
The HSPCB officials, however, said that action had been taken to control air pollution. "We have been conducting regular inspection at construction sites and brick kilns. Also, directions have been sent to ban the usage of furnace oil and petroleum coke," said the official.
While the highest level of PM2.5 on Thursday was recorded at 229.61 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m³), it was 197.89g/m³ on Wednesday. The air quality index (AQI), however, went down slightly from 354 on Wednesday to 325 on Thursday.
"The wind speed went down to 0.82 metre per second on Thursday from 0.97 metre per second on Wednesday. The average minimum temperature also fell from 32 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. All this have led to a slight increase in the level of PM2.5. However, if we compare it with other cities of NCR, the PM2.5 level in Gurgaon is the minimum," said an official of HSPCB.
Experts, on the other hand, called for an immediate ban on waste burning and stubble burning. "The smoke rising from crop residue burning in various parts of Punjab and Haryana is increasing the PM2.5 level. Besides, the waste burning activities go unchecked in the city," said Dr. Debjani Ghosh, an environmental engineer.
The HSPCB officials, however, said that action had been taken to control air pollution. "We have been conducting regular inspection at construction sites and brick kilns. Also, directions have been sent to ban the usage of furnace oil and petroleum coke," said the official.
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