Bengaluru: The Center for Science and Environment’s (CSE) exposure monitoring in Bengaluru has exposed the unacceptably high level of daily dose of air toxins that its citizens inhale. According to the findings Bengaluru is in the grip of rising air pollution with air quality monitoring already showing 57% increase in Particulate Matter (PM) in just 4 years (2010-2014) and 23% in one year.
According to findings which were released in a seminar held in the city on Friday, in more than 85% of the monitoring locations, the Air Pollution levels have exceeded standards. But these findings have shown that compared to Delhi, Bengaluru’s air quality is better.
“The relatively lower ambient levels as compared to northern cities like Delhi should not breed complacency as most of the health effects occur at levels much lower than the current standards,” stated in the report.
Releasing the report, Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, CSE informed that among the key Southern cities that are monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board , Bengaluru has recorded an increase in pollution level. “In only one year 2013-14 and 2014-15,(please check) the levels have increased by 23%,” she said.
“In Bengaluru NOx levels, though generally low, have also begun to increase. Analysis of the air quality data between October 1 and the latter part of November 2015 shows rapid build-up of pollution in the city. It increased several fold. This demands immediate intervention to prevent further worsening and reversal of the trend to protect public health,” said Roy Chowdhury.
“The data shows that in 85% of the locations the levels have begun to exceed the national standards. The worst hit pollution hotspots include Graphite India White Field; Amo battery Mysore Road; Silk Board Hosur road; and Victoria hospital,” she explained.
Very high personal exposures: CSE monitoring during the second week of December 2015 has found extremely high levels of exposure even when overall ambient pollution in the background has been relatively low.
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