VIJAYAWADA: Air pollution-level in Vijayawada witnessed a spike on Sunday as people celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm. The bursting of firecrackers shot up the level of pollution, both air and sound. According to the Pollution Control Board data, the smoke emanated from crackers increased the pollution-level in Vijayawada city. The figures of air quality index stood at 95-110 as against 85-90 during normal days.
The PCB is still investigating for the breakdown of particular components that includes various gases and particulate pollutants and heavy metals. The sound pollution-level in the city has also seen a rise on Diwali day, specially in the evening. The average figures on normal days stand at 65db-75db but in the evening, it shot up to 95db-105db, the data provided by the PCB said.
Meanwhile, many people reportedly suffered injuries in their eyes after the crackers they were bursting exploded emitting the hazardous chemicals. All the major eye hospitals in the city witnessed patients being rushed into the wards with burn injuries or infections. Four patients approached L V Prasad Eye Institute with eye injuries, of whom, two suffered burns on their upper lids. Vasan Eye Care saw 6 cases of eye injuries due to explosion of crackers.
Various other eye hospitals also witnessed patients rushing in with swollen eyes, burn injuries near eyes and red eye problem. However, compared to previous years data, the number of eye injury cases were on the decline. Last year, many cases burns were registered, inlcuding those of the skin and eyelids, said Dr. M.C. Naidu, Akruti Skin Care and Plastic Surgery Hospital. This year, only five cases with minor injuries were reported only five cases with minor injuries reported which is comparatively very low he added.
