Post-festivities, air quality takes a hit

Tribune News Service  
Chandigarh, October 19

The burning of effigies of the demons, along with bursting of  firecrackers, led to a deterioration in the  air quality of the city. The air quality  turned poor from moderate  around  8 pm today.

According to data collected   by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, the air quality index (AQI) of the  city  was 247 at  8 pm after the   effigies  were burnt  at over 80 places   in the  city. At 9 pm, the AQI deteriorated further to 280. Earlier in the day, the AQI  was  113  before the effigies were burnt. The air quality turned poor after smoke billowed out of the effigies.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered  good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and between 401 and 500 severe. The worsening of the   AQI can cause breathing discomfort among people with lung or heart diseases. The air quality index in the city was  recorded  at 187 on Thursday and  at 83 on Wednesday. As compared to Chandigarh, the AQI was better in Panchkula  at 103.