Diwali may have ended, but its effects are still looming over the city. Though air quality has improved by few points, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), on Saturday Mumbai recorded a ‘poor’ air quality level with an air quality index (AQI) of around 240, which is categorised as ‘Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals especially children and the elderly.’
The safety permission level for particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is 60 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/m3). However, after three days of Diwali celebrations, the city recorded almost double the amount at 110 ug/m3 on Saturday.
Similarly, the city recorded 184 ug/m3 in particulate matter 10 (PM 10) against the permitted level, which stands at 100 ug/m3. The city had, on Friday, recorded 120 ug/m3 PM2.5 and 184 ug/m3 PM10.
However, since then, there has been some decline in the AQI digits. “The more the size of the pollutants decreases, the more deadly they become. They go deep in our respiratory track, which leads to several heart ailments. PM2.5 floats in air for weeks due to its small size so it causes more harm than other pollutants,” said Dr Pratik Soni, a cardiologist from a city hospital.
Out of the nine stations monitored by SAFAR, eight have recorded ‘poor’ quality air quality index except Colaba, which has recorded moderate AQI.
