9 Baje 9 Minutes: Has The Air Quality Worsened Again Because Of Bursting Crackers?

Perhaps, the only silver lining to Covid-19 was an improvement in air quality as most people stayed indoors due to the 21-day Coronavirus lockdown in India. Now because of the people who chose to burst crackers, have we undone all that improvement?

Photo: AFP

On Sunday, Indians responded to PM Narendra Modi's call to light a diya, candle or flashlight as a way of instilling hope in the ongoing fight against Coronavirus. But several people didn't stop at the given directive and chose to burst crackers, which not has just soured the experience of the nationwide exercise but may have just adversely affected the air quality. Here, we look at 5 places where air quality worsened the most. We draw a comparison between the pollution levels on Saturday (April 4) and Monday (April 6) around the same time.

1. Siliguri, West Bengal

Siliguri in West Bengal witnesses the worst shift as the air quality got poor (on Monday) from moderate (on Saturday). The AQI rose from 132 to 231 after Sunday. The prime pollutant here is PM2.5. PM 2.5 is fine particulate matter in the atmosphere, which is harmful for health when inhaled in excessive proportion.

 2. Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

The Loni region in Ghaziabad worsened the most in terms of AQI as it rose from 112 to 224 on Monday. The region is currently dealing with poor air quality. The prime pollutant is PM2.5.

3. Rohini, Delhi

Rohini has witnessed a very sharp change, with air quality becoming poor on Monday from moderate on Saturday. The AQI rose from 141 to 201, with prominent pollutant being PM2.5.

  4. Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Sector -1 in Noida and the area around it seems to be the worst hit in terms of air quality as from a satisfactory, the air quality became moderate. The AQI rose from 88 to 152. Here, the prime pollutant is Ozone. The ozone layer on earth's upper atmosphere protects it from harmful UV rays, but on ground level it acts as a pollutant and can cause several health problems.

 5. Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Area around Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain is witnessing moderate air quality, however, the pollution level has gone up considerably with AQI rising from from 92 to 129. The prime pollutant here, like in Noida Sector-1, is Ozone. AQI Data Source: https://app.cpcbccr.com/AQI_India/# Perhaps, the only silver lining to Coronavirus was an improvement in air quality as most people stayed indoors due to the 21-day lockdown in India. Now because of the people who chose to burst crackers, have we undone all that improvement?