Samanpura records CO₂ levels more than double the global average: Study

Patna: A higher concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels at key locations in the state capital, particularly Samanpura, was observed during a joint study conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) from June 2024 to Jan 2025.
Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that trap heat within the Earth's atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures.
"We always talk about climate change and rising levels of greenhouse gases like CO₂ resulting in higher temperatures across the globe is one of the major causes of this problem. Yet, nobody takes the initiative to monitor CO₂ or other gases to address it. Hence, we took the step to conduct such a study for the very first time in the world. Gurugram followed us and is now the second place to carry out this survey," said BSPCB chairman DK Shukla.
"However, this is just a provisional report and the study is still on. The final report will be published by the end of March," he added.
Shukla added that Samanpura recorded more than double the world average of CO₂ levels for several months, primarily due to many residents using wood and coal for cooking, which led to higher emissions. "Against the world average of 424ppm (parts per million), Samanpura's CO₂ concentration was found to be more than double, exceeding 900ppm during the last three months from Nov to Jan with a maximum of 959ppm observed in Dec last year," Shukla added.
When asked about the primary reasons contributing to such high CO₂ concentrations in Patna, the BSPCB chairman said that besides the use of wood and coal for cooking, the loss of vegetation cover and water bodies across the state capital was also a major factor in pushing up CO₂ levels. "Green cover is well known for absorbing CO₂, and aquatic plants in water bodies are even more efficient at absorbing CO₂ than their terrestrial counterparts," Shukla said. He added that corrective measures, such as increasing plantation cover and reviving water bodies, are essential to bringing CO₂ levels down to desirable limits in the city.
When questioned about the health impacts of elevated CO₂ levels, the BSPCB chairman said, "CO₂ levels of even 4,000ppm for only a few days may not cause harm, but prolonged exposure should be avoided by adopting corrective measures."
Of the 10 locations surveyed in the city, Samanpura consistently recorded CO₂ levels far above the world average. Rukanpura also registered CO₂ concentrations above 900ppm in Nov last year. The S K Memorial Hall locality recorded over 500ppm in July and Aug last year and in Jan, Shimli Nabab Ganj recorded 585ppm in July 2024 and 513.6ppm in Jan.