City continues to breathe good quality air

IT’S BETTER THAN PAST MANY YEARS
Ludhiana: Despite the Unlock, the industrial hub recorded less pollution in July and August (in the first 15 days) as compared with the corresponding period in the past many years.
The air pollution is measured in terms of Air Quality Index (AQI). It includes the values of combination of many air pollutants like respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, benzene and xylene, among others.
March, April and May, too, registered cleaner air.
As per the data, the average AQI from March 24, when curfew was imposed in Punjab due to Covid-19, till the month-end was 35.6; for April and May, when the lockdown was in force, it was 48.8 and 79.06, respectively. The average AQI in June (when the Unlock started) was 87.44 and it was 70.53 in July and 52.66 in the first 15 days of August.
It shows that the months after lockdown and Unlock saw AQI in good (below 50) and satisfactory (below 100) categories.
This year’s air quality is better when compared with the data of previous years.
The average AQI in April was 48.8 this year, 116.16 in 2018 and 89.5 in 2019. The AQI for May was 79.06 this year, 185.55 in 2018 and 97.5 in 2019.
After Unlock 1, the average AQI for June was 87.44 this year, 151.25 in 2018 and 103.4 in 2019. For July, the value was 70.53 this year and 73.96 and 84.41, respectively, in 2018 and 2019.
The first 15 days of August saw an average AQI of 52.66. It was 65.69 and 88.6 in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) authorities said there were multiple factors for the positive change.
“First, industrial activity is just 60% of pre-Covid times. Secondly, there is less vehicular movement as people are moving out only if it’s necessary. Other factors are: less operation of public transport, including trains, and good and timely monsoon,” said Sandeep Behl, senior PPCB officer in Ludhiana.
“Apart from essential services, other activities are not fully operational. This, too, has had a positive effect on AQI in the district,” PPCB officials added.