‘Worst 2-yr pollution peak in first two weeks of Dec’ – Times of India

Kolkata: Even though the fog has dissipated, the pollutants are still hanging low in the ambient air of the city for a longer duration. For the last few days, the city’ air has been very poor. So far, December 2020 proved to be the worst in the last two years, despite no major change in atmospheric temperature, said a study.
According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), in the first two weeks of December, the city saw its worst peak of PM2.5 level, compared to December 2019. It hovered around 130 µg/m3 on an average. Last year, the PM2.5 level hovered around 70-80 µg/m3.
“In Kolkata, the cyclical ups and downs of pollution this winter is more volatile, showing quicker rise and fall than in previous winters. This could also be a reflection of changes in local pollution patterns and overall lower pollution load in the air-shed while aided by meteorology,” said air quality expert Anumita Roychowdhury, who led the analysis of the city pollution level since lockdown.
Ultrafine PM2.5 is considered much more lethal compared to the relatively coarser PM10.
Vehicular population has witnessed a record rise in the city and suburbs. Apart from the noxious fume of the vehicles, factories, open burning and thermal power station continued belching smoke in the air. “The mitigating measures adopted by the state pollution control board, Kolkata Police and civic body last year are missing this year,” said environment crusader Subhas Datta.
Kolkata, CSE said, needs a deep cut in the average PM2.5 levels. “Enforce power plant standards in the larger region, provide clean fuels to the industry, scale up public transport and vehicle restraint measures and manage waste to have a zero waste and zero landfill strategy. But the peak winter pollution also shows that the city needs a graded response action plan (GRAP) to slow down the peaking winter pollution,” said Roy Chowdhury.
“The sprinkling of water on thoroughfare to stop re-suspension of dust is not being done properly. Open burning is rampant. Last year, city police took stringent measures against open burning of wastes,” said environment activist Somendra Mohan Ghosh.