Faridabad’s air hazardous again

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, January 15

The air in Faridabad has turned hazardous again. The PM-2.5 level rose to 474 on Friday morning, which was almost eight times the safe level of 60, according to ‘Sameer’, online app of the Central Pollution Control Board.

With its air quality the worst in Haryana, Faridabad was the second most polluted town in the country during the past 36 hours, according to data. The PM-2.5 level was above 447 since Thursday morning.

Low wind speed, decrease in temp to blame

Low wind speed, decrease in temperature with foggy conditions and air and dust pollution by industrial and construction activities can be blamed for the spike. — Samita Kanodia, pollution control department official

Bahadurgarh recorded PM-2.5 level of 410 on Friday morning, with other main towns in the state having PM-2.5 level between 250 and 375.

Though neighbouring Delhi recorded a severe PM-2.5 level of 461, Noida in Uttar Pradesh had the highest PM- 2.5 level of 477 on Friday morning.

The PM-2.5 level turned hazardous for the first time this year on January 2 at 434. It had been hazardous for eight days in December. The last time PM-2.5 level was good (60 or below) was on September 23 last, when it was 57.

“Low wind speed, decrease in temperature with foggy conditions and air and dust pollution by industrial and construction activities can be blamed for the spike,” said Samita Kanodia, an official of the Pollution Control Department.

“We are ensuring implementation of the graded response action plan to check the menace,” said Yashpal Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, also holding charge of Municipal Commissioner.