Raipur among world's 20 most polluted cities
RAIPUR: When it comes to air pollution, a World Health Organisation (WHO) report concluded that Raipur has gained the dubious distinction of being the third worst city in India and has found its way on the list of top twenty polluted cities in world. Environmentalists fear that it's only a matter of time that this city would top the list, if urgent steps aren't taken to improve the air quality.
And if local researchers and environmentalists are to be believed, the annual average levels of PM10 is 700 per cubic metre in some areas of city, which is 11 times more than Central Pollution Control Board's prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
Sham Pervez, an environment researcher and professor in Ravi Shankar Shukla University, told TOI that the situation was bad in Raipur. Pervez said that according to a study conducted by him in 2009, pollution contribution by industries was 27-30%, road traffic 41-45%, natural soil contribution (as this is sub-tropical region) 8% and from civil construction 5%.
In terms of PM10, particulate matter smaller than about 10 micrometres that can settle in the bronchi and lungs and cause health problems, Raipur with 305 micrograms per cubic metre is second only to Gwalior's 329 micrograms per cubic metre. Delhi is number three with a figure of 286.
PM10 is the one of the biggest sources of asthmatic problem. A 2008 WHO report clearly states that every fifth child in Chhattisgarh is affected with asthama. As per a report of the health ministry, 1.39 lakh people in Chhattisgarh suffered from respiratory disorders. This number rose to 2.32 lakhs in 2007 and 3.39 lakhs in 2008, indicating a 100% increase in such patients every year.
In terms of PM 2.5, WHO report puts Raipur as the third most polluted city in the India. Fine particulate matter with 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) or less diameter are invisible and enters into respiratory tract while normal breathing.
When contacted, chairman of Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board N Baijendra Kumar said according to studies conducted by the government through National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), industries contributed only 16% to pollution in state. He said the government had taken adequate steps in this regard and since 2007 no licences have been issued for setting up sponge iron industries or those requiring use of coal.
He said vehicular pollution was another major cause and steps were being taken to control the same. "We have been following strict norms regarding industries and will crack down on vehicular pollution too," said Kumar.
What is PM10?
Particulate matter is the collective term used to describe very small solid, liquid or gaseous particles in the air. Some of these particles are big enough to be seen while others are so small that they are invisible to the human eye and small enough for us to inhale. A PM10 particle is less than 10 micrometres (9m) in size, or one fifth of the diameter of a human hair. PM10 comes from man-made sources such as burning coal, oil, wood and light fuel oil in domestic fires, motor vehicles and industrial processes. Natural sources of particles include sea salt, dust, pollens and volcanic activity.
What experts say to control air pollution in city:
1) Back filter house system should be mandatory in industries
2) Old system in industries should be replaced by advanced system
3) Vehicles that are over 10-year-old should be removed from roads
4) Vehicular smog test should be mandatory
5) Autos should be removed. Instead, CNG buses and autos should be introduced