Puneites breathed in polluted air for 10 months

Pune: Growing vehicle population, concretisation and carbon emissions contributed to air pollution for 10 months last year. Only July and August were the two pollution-free months. This was revealed by statistics provided by Suresh Chopane, Former Member, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

The highest traffic congestion in Pune is seen in Shivajinagar and Swargate areas, where the level of pollution is higher. Polluted air has been causing respiratory diseases among citizens. Earlier, the city had a hill station status. Air then was always clean. But air pollution started growing in the past few years. Breathing for a day in Pune is equal to smoking 2.8 cigarettes.

Last year, 211 days had high pollution; average pollution was 93 days while air was clean for 62 days. February had 29 days last year.

Suresh Chopane said, “Vehicular smoke, burning garbage, construction dust and pollutants caused due to burning of fossil fuel have added to air pollution in Pune. The number of vehicles and constructions grew exponentially in the past few years.”

Dr Swapnil Kulkarni, pulmonologist, said, “Air pollution has risen multifold in Pune. A study in Chicago has stated that air pollution is very high in India. This can reduce human life by six years. It is important to formulate concrete policies. China has done this. Use of public transport has to grow. A mask must be used while travelling. Rules should be strictly implemented for construction sites. Old vehicles should be scrapped.”

Month/Days/Polluted days

January/31/31

February/29/29

March/31/31

April/30/30

May/31/High-17, Low-14

June/30/Average-9, high-1, clean – 20

July/Clean-23, satisfactory-8

August/Clean-8, satisfactory-22, average-1

September/Clean-9, average-21

October/Clean-2, satisfactory-10, average-19

November/Average-28, high-2

December/Satisfactory-9, average-19, high-3

Reasons for rising pollutants and emissions

*PM 2.5 – 366 days, PM 10 – 150 days

*Nitrous oxide high on 100 days

*Carbon monoxide high on 96 days