Dhule has emerged as Maharashtra’s most polluted city this Diwali, with alarming air quality levels reported across the state. Data from 31 surveyed locations revealed that Mumbai, often criticized for its air quality, ranked 20th, with the Worli area experiencing a staggering 216.5% increase in “very unhealthy” air quality levels compared to last year.
The data, compiled by Respirer Living Sciences Pvt. Ltd., a ClimateTech startup, highlighted the urgent need for attention to air quality issues as PM2.5 levels surged post-festival. PM2.5, a key indicator of air quality that measures the concentration of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere, recorded Dhule as the city with the highest pollution levels, followed by Nanded (129.90 µg/m³) and Pimpri-Chinchwad (125.62 µg/m³). Other cities such as Ahmednagar (123.73 µg/m³) and Parbhani (122.67 µg/m³) also reported concerning PM2.5 concentrations.
Within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Ulhasnagar ranked 12th on the pollution scale, followed by Badlapur (13), Mira-Bhayandar (14), and Bhiwandi (17). Despite traditionally high pollution levels, certain areas in Mumbai reported lower PM2.5 readings, including Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (T2) at 24.49 µg/m³ and Khindipada (Bhandup West) at 29.80 µg/m³. However, the overall PM2.5 levels citywide spiked by 50.3% following Diwali, rising from 57.46 µg/m³ on October 30 to 86.39 µg/m³ by November 1.
Malad West recorded the highest pollution levels within Mumbai at 194.54 µg/m³, with Sewri following at 184.44 µg/m³. In contrast, Powai and Deonar experienced reductions in PM2.5 levels, showcasing localized improvements amidst the overall air quality deterioration.
India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM2.5 is set at 40 µg/m³, while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an annual safe limit of 5 µg/m³. The stark rise in pollution levels, particularly in cities like Dhule, Nanded, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, surpasses those observed in larger urban centers like Mumbai and Pune.
Ronak Sutaria, CEO of Respirer Living Sciences, emphasized the urgent need for air quality control and public awareness efforts, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. “High PM2.5 levels pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. Proactive measures are crucial to protect air quality during periods of elevated emissions,” Sutaria stated.
As Maharashtra grapples with these concerning pollution levels, the urgent call for effective air quality management and public health initiatives becomes increasingly vital to safeguard the health of its residents.
Sources By Agencies
