Post-Diwali, PM10 level shoots up in parts of city

Bhubaneswar: The state capital witnessed a significant rise in air pollutants, especially particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) during Diwali. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), which obtained pollution data from six monitoring stations, found higher levels of PM10 and PM2.5. According to OSPCB data, PM10 was almost double the permissible limit in certain places.
Places near Capital Police Station recorded the highest PM10 level of 212 microgram per metre cube (µg/m³) against 121 prior to Diwali. The permissible limit of PM10 is 100 µg/m³, according to the OSPCB. The level of PM2.5 in the air was found to 67 µg/m³ here even as the permissible limit is 60 microgram.
Places around Khandagiri police station also witnessed lot of pollution triggered by bursting of crackers with the monitoring panel recording 195 microgram of PM10 per metre cube. The remaining four air pollution monitoring stations showed PM10 of 165 (Chandrasekharpur), 160 (OSPCB office), 142 (IRC village) and 138 (Palasuni). As for PM2.5 is concerned, barring Chandrasekharpur, where it was 53 µg/m³, the remaining five places recorded more pollutants than the permissible limit of 60 microgram.
If PM10 is excess in ambient air, it can move up the upper respiratory airways and can cause infections and irritation, while PM2.5 can easily enter the lungs and can stay in the organ for a long time.
The city’s past record showed alarmingly higher PM10 in 2017 and 2016 as it hovered between 324 and 190 µg/m³. In 2015, the maximum was 700 µg/m³.
Senior environmental scientist, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) Niranjan Mallick said both PM10 and PM2.5 were found to be significantly higher compared to pre-Diwali period.
“Prior to Diwali, the level of PM10 was below the permissible limit at many places and just above at two places. But after Diwali, PM10 has been found to be significantly higher. This happens on most Diwali, though it was on the lower side this time around,” Mallick said.
Senior pulmonologist Sampat Dash said, “Particulate matter of less than five micron is bad for the lungs. Particulate matter of 10 micron thickness can’t enter the lungs but can damage the upper respiratory part as they get expectorated through nasal or throat filters.”