ITANAGAR, Nov 12: The air quality in the capital complex declined sharply during the Diwali period and spiked far beyond the acceptable levels on the day of the festival.
As per the data released by the Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB), the level of PM 10 particulate matter hit 218 microgram/m3 in Itanagar and 117 microgram/m3 in Naharlagun on 7 November. The safe limit for the pollutant is 100 mg/m3.
“The PM 10 data not only showed double the national ambient air quality standard in Itanagar but also exceeded the 24 hourly standards of 100 mg/m3,” the APSPCB said.
However, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were found to be well within the standard level of 80 microgram/m3 in both Itanagar and Naharlagun, the APSPCB said.
The APSPCB had conducted tests at the PCCF office complex in Itanagar and the APSPCB office complex on the Yupia road in Naharlagun during pre-Deepawali (4 November), Deepawali (7 November) and post-Deepawali (10 November) to ascertain the ambient air quality of the twin capital towns.
High air pollution levels have an adverse impact on public health and aggravate respiratory ailments.
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The ambient air quality of Itanagar and Naharlagun during pre-Deepawali, Deepawali and post-Deepawali, 2018:
