Diwali fireworks push noise, air pollution to alarming levels in Amritsar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 5

The district administration’s order restricting bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali went up in smoke as residents didn’t care two hoots about the guidelines. As a result, air and noise pollution remained very high.

On normal days, the air quality index (AQI), which remains below 120 (moderate) was recorded at 303 on the night of Diwali. During the lockdown in 2020, the AQI reached 65. The data was recorded from residential, hospitals and educational institutes, besides industrial areas. The average AQI stayed over 300 micro gross per metre (ug/m cubic) on Diwali night.

Particulate matter (PM) 10 was 342.69 and PM 2.5 stood at 208.80 on Diwali. Both PM10 and PM2.5 were found to be in the severe category. Ideally, PM10 should be around 100 and PM2.5 at 60.

These particles cause health problems mostly in the respiratory tract as they are smaller than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5), which carry toxic organic compounds and heavy metals.

Amritpal Singh Chahal, SDO, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said, “Noise meters were installed on 100-feet road, Ranjit Avenue and Circular Road. The peak was witnessed at 10 pm. It was 84.5 Leq dB (A) in the residential area, 81.5 in the sensitive area and 82 in the commercial area. At the start of the reading at 6 am, it was 74.1, 78.3 and 73.2, respectively. At midnight, it was 70.4, 73.9 and 68.2.” The noise pollution was certainly high from the daily level, he said.

Silver lining

• The air quality index (AQI) improved by 21.5 per cent on the night of Diwali in comparison to the 2020 Diwali
• The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) recorded the AQI at 303 this Diwali. Last year, the AQI was 386 on the festival of lights
• Harpal Singh, Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, attributed this fall to less bursting of firecrackers on Diwali