Track the level of pollution in your city
So far, the virus has infected more than 2 lakh people in the state of which 8,481 cases are still active. In total, 932 have succumbed to Covid-19.
On Tuesday, the city’s (AQI) was 103, which is categorized as “moderate” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In this category of air quality, people with lung and heart disease, children, and the elderly face discomfort when breathing.
According to CPCB data, the city’s AQI was 82 on October 1.
Manoj Saikia, a senior environmental scientist at the State Pollution Control Board, said the sharp drop in air quality may pose a threat to Covid-19 patients. “Air quality has been drastically degrading after the end of the rainy season due to dust and emissions produced mainly by vehicles and industries. We all know that polluted air directly impacts our lungs. Winter, which is a dry season, can represent a challenge to manage the Covid situation, “he added.
Air quality degrades during the period from November to March of each year as there is no rainfall in the state.
Saikia appealed to the people of the state to avoid setting off firecrackers during Diwali this year. “The poisonous gas emitted during the explosion of the firecrackers and the polluting particles present in the air make the smoke poisonous. Celebrate the festival this year respecting the health conditions of Covid patients, ”he said.
The average monthly AQI in Guwahati was 125 in March, 47 in April, 52 in May, 45 in June, 42 in July, 39 in August, and 48 in September.
Six active air monitoring stations in the city.
Guwahati has six stations of the National Air Quality Monitoring Program. The stations are located in Bamunimaidan, Khanapara, Boragaon, within ITI in Rehabari, Pragjyoti College in Bharalumukh, and Gauhati University in Jalukbari in the city. The AQI is based on the measurement of PM2.5 and PM10, O3, NO2, SO2 and CO emissions. The status PCB basically monitors the presence of PM2.5 and PM10.
(With input from: Mukut Das)
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