Post Deepavali, pollution within limits, says TNPCB

The TNPCB conducted ambient air quality survey and noise level surveys in five places in the city –Besant Nagar, T Nagar, Nungambakkam, Triplicane and Sowcarpet – in order to monitor the pollution levels caused due to the bursting of crackers this Deepavali season.

According to a press release from the board, the Particulate Matter (PM) 10 level recorded this year was lowest in Besant Nagar with 84 microgram/m3 and highest in Sowcarpet with 128 microgram/m3, against the prescribed standard of 100 microgram/m3.

In comparison, the least polluted locality last year was Nungambakkam with 48 microgram/m3, while Sowcarpet recorded 114 microgram/m3. The officials said that the values were well within the limit in all the stations on the day of Deepavali. The gaseous pollutants – sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide – were found to be the same from last year of 80 microgram/m3 on both days across the city.

The noise levels were also low across the city, expect Besant Nagar and Sowcarpet. The ambient noise level ranged from 55 to 73 dB(A) during pre-Deepavali, while the values ranged from 67 to 84 dB(A) during Deepavali. As per the court order the time for bursting crackers was between 6 am and 7 am on Sunday morning and 7 pm to 8 pm on Sunday evening.