CHENNAI: Two days after Bhogi was celebrated in Tamil Nadu, the state Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has released data on the air pollution levels before and after the festival which involves burning old household items.
Although data this year shows a dip in the particulate matter and increase in air quality, five flights were cancelled and around 40 were delayed from the Chennai airport due to smog and pollution on Monday.
This is despite efforts that The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Chennai corporation have made in carrying out awareness campaigns for a ‘smoke-free’ Bhogi. They have been particularly warning against burning plastic material and tyres. Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan went as far as requesting the people to refrain from burning things, especially after last year’s heavy smog.
According to a press release from by the TNPCB, the volume of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide in the air was within their permissible limits of 80 µ/m3, while the levels of Particulate Matter in the air was found to be slightly higher than the permissible levels. “During the Bhogi day the Particulate Matter (PM2.5) level was in the range of 20-109 µg/m3 as against the prescribed standard of 60 µg/m3 and Particulate Matter (PM10) was in the range of 126- 249 µg/m3 as against the prescribed standard of 100 µg/m3,” read the report.
“The night patrolling team found burning of waste materials in some places and it was immediately put off with water and sand. More than 100 waste tyres, which were kept for burning purpose, were also seized. They will be sent to the common hazardous waste management facility at Gummidipoondi,” the statement added.
