Breathing Air or Toxins?

Nikita Padhye

Mumbai

Mumbai has been witnessing deteriorating air quality for the month of February, with

an average air quality index between 150 to 200 and above. According to data by Swiss

Air Tracking Index ‘IqAir’ ( an air quality research and development company), Mumbai

was the second most polluted city globally between January 29 and February 08 this

year.

According to the Central Pollution Board, an AQI between 0-50 is considered

“good”, 50-100 is considered “satisfactory”, “moderate” is between 100-200, and “poor

to very poor” between 200-400. With the city grappling with an air quality index as high

as 300, it comes under the ‘very poor’ category according to the System of Air Quality

and Weather Forecasting and Research’s air quality monitoring index.

The repercussions of the city’s worsening air quality are felt by children, adults, and

senior citizens in the country who are facing various respiratory problems caused by

breathing polluted air. Dry cough, flu-like symptoms, and sore throat are common

concerns of the residents. Particulate matter PM 2.5 and PM 10, and nitrogen oxide

(NO2) are the major pollutants in the air that are causing severe health problems.

According to an officer from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, “The

contributing factors for the rise in pollution in the city consist of new infrastructure and

housing constructions, emissions from various industrial hubs in the city, traffic

congestion, open waste burning and climate change.”

Efforts are being taken by the Maharashtra government to increase the number of air

quality monitoring centres in highly polluted junctions in the city. Similarly, introducing

eco-friendly travel alternatives like electric vehicles and electric BEST buses, increasing

the forest cover in the city, and operating more ambient air quality monitoring centres

are being implemented to combat the air pollution.