Baddi’s air quality dips again, AQI hits ‘poor’ 283

Air quality in the state’s industrial belt of Baddi has failed to improve with the air quality index (AQI) registering a poor 283, as per findings of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 4:05 pm this evening.

Though it did show considerable improvement on October 31 when the AQI level was a moderate 178, it has been deteriorating for the last three days. The level increased to a poor 207 on November 1 and ozone was the most prominent pollutant.

The index rose swiftly to still poorer levels at 286 yesterday and 283 today as particulate matter PM 2.5 was recorded as the prominent contributory factor. PM 2.5 comprises fine airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. This sparks breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure especially among the sensitive population.

Its adverse level in the air can trigger both short and long-term impact on the health, including eye, nose, throat irritation, cough and difficulty in breathing besides triggering asthma, bronchitis, heart attack and stroke among other diseases, informed a health expert.

“One can see plumes of dust flying on the Baddi-Nalagarh highway besides several internal internal roads where cursory repair was underway. “With no dust suppressing measures like sprinkling of water being undertaken, the PM 2.5 was bound to increase in this state’s industrial hub,” informed Pawan Chauhan, assistant engineer, State Pollution Control Board, Baddi, who added that the concerned authorities will be directed to adopt this measure strictly.

Officials attributed higher ozone to the rise in temperature being witnessed in this industrial cluster. Nearly 20,000 vehicles ply in the area on a daily basis and industrial fuels like pet coke, coal, etc., are being used in large quantity, thus triggering formation of ozone.